The SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division season returns this Saturday, with six opening day fixtures live across TG4 and LOITV. Athlone Town will be looking to make history by becoming the first side to win three consecutive league titles, while Séan Russell's Shelbourne side will be looking to set the tone for the 2026 season against his former club Treaty United.
John Sullivan's Athlone Town side will be looking to become the first team in the league's history to win three consecutive league titles, after a decorated 2025 season which saw them win the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division for the second year in a row and the Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup to complete the domestic double.
The Town have already made a statement this season, claiming the 2026 President's Cup trophy against Shelbourne on Sunday, 1-0, thanks to Dana Scheriff's incisive finish from the six-yard line.
GOAL! Athlone Town lead! Great play finished brilliantly by Dana Scheriff 🫡 pic.twitter.com/5i0dBE648B
— LOI Women (@LoiWomen) March 8, 2026
John Sullivan has made significant changes to his squad ahead of the new season, appointing Hannah Waesch as captain and signing a number of new talents, including former Shelbourne stalwart Noelle Murray.
They face a significantly reshaped Sligo Rovers outfit, including six new players signed from the United States, alongside youngsters Ivana McMahon and Ava Hallinan, who have signed their first professional contracts with the Bit O'Red, amongst other additions to the group.
Athlone Town secured the 2026 President's Cup last Sunday, with a 1-0 win against title-hopeful Shelbourne.
Two newly-managed sides meet under the TG4 spotlight at Tolka Park, as Shelbourne manager Séan Russell faces his former side Treaty United. Previous Shels manager, Eoin Wearen, guided the Reds to back-to-back league runner-up finishes and a Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup, but the Club have brought in the former Treaty boss, who has made wholesale changes to his squad in pre-season, as they look to bridge the gap to Athlone Town at the summit.
Treaty United begin a new chapter under former Athlone Town skipper, Laurie Ryan's reign, following the departure of Séan Russell, while Katie Lawlee has taken the captain's armband for the Shannonsiders. Treaty will be looking to move on from the departure of Cara Griffin, their longest-serving player, following six seasons in Limerick. Live coverage from 14:05 on the TG4 linear TV channel and TG4 Player.
Cork City host James O'Callaghan's Shamrock Rovers at the Munster FA Turner's Cross, with kick-off set for 15:00. Rovers have recruited well internally within the league, with Erica Turner, Therese Kinnevey, Roisin McGovern, Lauryn O’Callaghan, Sadhbh Doyle and Ellen Molloy all making the move to Tallaght Stadium. O'Callaghan has also bolstered his squad with the addition of Caitlin St. Leger, who previously played collegiate football in the USA.
Cork City will be looking to make a statement against Rovers and get off on the right foot after a difficult 2025 season. The Rebels will be without club stalwart Christina Dring, who made 170 appearances for the side. New boss Barry Ryan will be hopeful that Canadian forward Stella Berezowski will bed in quickly.
DLR Waves take on Galway United at the UCD Bowl as Laura Heffernan’s side will look to build on last season’s 9th place finish. There will be a missing piece for the Waves going forward because after over 100 appearances, over the span of six years as goalkeeper for the girls in blue, Eva Badana has retired from the game. Summer Lawless arrives from Shamrock Rovers in her place.
Former Shelbourne goalkeeper Amanda McQuillan joined Galway United and will be looking to bolster United’s defence. She is the reigning, back-to-back, Golden Glove winner and brings a huge amount of experience to the Tribeswomen.
Waterford begin their second season in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division, hosting last season’s 4th place Wexford - Dave Connell is in the dug-out for Wexford after finishing up as Head Coach with the Ireland Women's Under-19s, where he enjoyed tremendous success that included qualification to two different UEFA European Championship finals tournaments.
Bohemians make the short trip to Greenogue Park to face Peamount United, who finished mid-table in last season’s edition of the league. Former League of Ireland midfielder Alan Murphy, who has been in the Assistant Coach role since 2024, has stepped in to lead Bohs for the first time following Alban Hysa’s departure.
SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division Fixtures
Saturday 14 March
Shelbourne vs Treaty United, 14:30 KO, Tolka Park (Live on TG4, on-air 14:05)
Cork City vs Shamrock Rovers, 15:00 KO, Munster FA Turner’s Cross
DLR Waves vs Galway United, 15:00 KO, UCD Bowl
Waterford vs Wexford, 15:00 KO, RSC
Peamount United vs Bohemians, 17:00 KO, Greenogue Park
Sligo Rovers vs Athlone Town, 17:00 KO, The Showgrounds
