Managers have been arranging new squads ahead of 2026 season
The SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division kicks off on March 14 this season and there are a number of big name signings already being announced ahead of the new campaign.
Here’s five of the headliners so far
Sadhbh Doyle
The 25 year old joins Shamrock Rovers from Peamount United, becoming James O’Callaghan’s second signing ahead of the 2026 campaign after Therese Kinnevey also signed in for Tallaght.
A former WU19 International Player of the Year, the midfielder began her career with her native Galway WFC in 2017 before a move to Dublin came calling. After securing a place in Trinity College to study Dentistry, Sadhbh made the move to Peamount United, winning the league in her first season at the Greenogue based side.
A second league title win in 2023 saw Sadhbh named SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division Player of the Year.
Maggie Pierce
The 2024 star for Shels is back in Tolka Park where she helped guide Shels to the Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup as Sean Russell has been building his new squad for a title push in 2026.
After initially playing at right-back, Pierce was also deployed in central defence and midfield over the course of the year. She wound up appearing in every game for the club in all competitions in 2023, playing nearly every minute and she was named in the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division Team of the Season after Shelbourne placed second in the league.
Her addition along with Becky Watkins’ arrival from Peamount United will surely bolster Shels’ chances of challenging Athlone.
Aimee Neal
Champions Athlone Town announced the signing of defender Aimee Neal ahead of the 2026 season. Neal played previously with Sion Swifts and Glentoran in Northern Ireland before joining Shamrock Rovers in 2025. The Tyrone native was the latest addition to the Double winners after Melissa O’Kane made to switch to the Midlands.
Amanda McQuillan
The former Shelbourne Goalkeeper has made the move west to Galway United. McQuillan is the 2024 and 2025 Golden Glove winner and joins Galway United after a very successful time at Shels.
The ‘Keeper will be hoping her experience of trophies can help propel United to silverware in 2026.
Brianna Taylor
The experienced 27-year-old forward joins Treaty United from FK Gintra, where she featured in the Lithuanian A Lyga and competed in European competition, bringing valuable international experience to Markets Field.
Born in the United States, Brianna has developed a strong career in football, playing across multiple leagues in Europe and the United States. Most recently she played as a striker for FK Gintra, making appearances in both the domestic league and UEFA Women’s Europa Cup competition.
She previously represented Szekszárdi WFC in Hungary. Brianna has also turned out for MTK Budapest, Astra HFC – Ullo and the Lander Bearcats in the US.
