Breifne Earley is joined this week by former Irish international and record Women’s Premier Division champion Niamh Reid Burke as the pair look ahead to another big weekend of action across the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division.

The conversation begins with a discussion on the emergence of young talent across the league (1:27), before turning to FIFA’s new regulations for women’s coaches at international level (5:25) and Niamh’s thoughts on the continued development of the Women’s Development League (10:34) and its importance in strengthening the pathway for future players.

Attention then shifts to the weekend’s fixtures, beginning with Galway United hosting Wexford FC (13:34), followed by Peamount United’s clash with Waterford FC (15:53). The panel then look ahead to Sligo Rovers taking on Shamrock Rovers (19:20) before turning to a heavyweight meeting between Bohemians and Athlone Town (22:01).

Treaty United manager Laurie Ryan joins Breifne and Aaron Clarke to discuss a transformative period in her life, balancing the arrival of her son Jack with stepping into management at senior level. She reflects on Treaty’s impressive youth-driven start to the season, the challenges of building a squad and the ambition behind the project in Limerick (25:20).

The episode concludes with a look ahead to Cork City’s meeting with Treaty United (47:28) and Shelbourne’s clash with DLR Waves (48:00), as another full round of fixtures awaits.

🎧 Listen now:

https://www.finalwhistle.ie/soccer/loiwomen-s6-e8/

Breifne Earley and Aaron Clarke return to look back on another busy weekend of action across the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division, with storylines emerging at every level of the game.

The episode opens with a look at the Women’s Development League (6:52), where Athlone Town’s approach of fielding a number of first team players in their second tier fixtures so far comes under discussion, raising questions about development versus competitiveness.

Attention then turns to the Women’s U17 League (10:56), where Mayo’s remarkable 11–1 win over Sligo Rovers prompts a conversation about academy structures and what it could mean for the Bit O’ Red at underage level.

In the Women’s Premier Division, Bohemians made a fast start against Cork City (16:00), with two early goals from Ciara Maher coming from pinpoint Sarah McKevitt corners. Savannah Kane added a late third, but Cork will feel they left opportunities behind, including two missed chances from captain Eva Mangan.

Peamount United spoiled the reunion in Tallaght Stadium with a 2–0 win over Shamrock Rovers (27:44), as goals from Sophie Byrne and Sorcha Melia secured the result. The panel take a closer look at Byrne’s opener, which may have taken a decisive deflection.

Galway United maintained their perfect start with a 2–1 win over Sligo Rovers (37:42). Sydney Stephens had given Sligo the lead early on, but two Ceola Bergin penalties, one in each half, turned the game. The match also saw an unusual moment as Niamh Farrelly accidentally collided with the referee, knocking him to the ground during play (46:55).

Wexford and Shelbourne shared the points in an entertaining 1–1 draw (48:27). A flowing Shelbourne move involving Aoibheann Clancy, Aoife Kelly and Becky Watkins set up Damico for the opener, before Ciara Rossiter quickly equalised. Shelbourne will feel aggrieved not to have been awarded a penalty just before the break.

Athlone Town edged past DLR Waves with a 1–0 win (56:19), courtesy of a freak own goal. Despite dominating large spells, Athlone again struggled to convert chances, while DLR will point to missed opportunities that could have changed the outcome.

Treaty United secured bragging rights in the Munster derby with a 3–0 win over Waterford (60:12). Ciara Breslin struck twice, with Kate Jones adding a late header, as Madison McGuane and Katie Lawlee impressed throughout. Waterford created chances but were unable to find a way past Katherine Hess.

The episode concludes with a full review of the latest fixtures and standings across the Women’s Premier Division (64:55), the Women’s Development League (66:22) and the Women’s U17 League (67:16), before the lads discuss the issue of attendances across the league and the challenges facing clubs in growing matchday crowds (68:50).

Season 6 continues as Breifne Earley and Aaron Clarke are joined once again by former Irish international Meabh De Burca to look ahead to another big weekend in the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division.

Meabh opens the show reflecting on completing the LGFA Leadership Programme with a focus on Media & PR (1:02), before the panel look back on how far the Irish women’s game has come — from playing a 5-a-side exhibition at half-time of a men’s international against Arsenal to the professional structures now in place (5:26).

Attention quickly turns to the domestic game as the panel review the opening round of league action (6:12), discuss some of the graphical and informational frustrations around coverage (8:40), and examine the early attendance figures across the division (11:16).

The focus then shifts firmly to the weekend ahead, with a full preview of all six fixtures in the Women’s Premier Division. Galway United face Sligo Rovers (16:08), Shamrock Rovers host Peamount United in a live TG4 clash (22:59), Bohemians welcome Cork City (25:52), Treaty United take on Waterford (28:16), Wexford host champions Shelbourne (32:27), and Athlone Town face DLR Waves (34:40).

Shamrock Rovers forward Emily Corbet joins the show to discuss her start to the season, the squad dynamic at Rovers and their ambitions heading into a huge televised clash this weekend (53:49).

The episode closes with a full round-up of the upcoming fixtures across all levels, including the Women’s Premier Division (55:56), the Women’s Development League (56:36) and the Women’s U17 League (56:47).

🎧 Listen now:

https://www.finalwhistle.ie/soccer/loiwomen-s6-e6/