Breifne Earley is joined by Aaron Clarke (LetsTalkLOIW) and Emma Kate Dineen as the team break down a huge weekend of action across the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division.

The episode begins with a dramatic clash at Dalymount Park as Athlone Town delivered a statement performance against Bohemians (1:24), with a five-goal haul highlighting their attacking power and title credentials.

Attention then turns to Treaty United’s impressive win away to Cork City (17:24), before Shelbourne’s dominant display against DLR Waves (28:52) keeps them firmly in the hunt near the top of the table.

Shamrock Rovers’ emphatic victory over Sligo Rovers (38:26) is next on the agenda, followed by a tight encounter where Galway United edged Wexford in a competitive battle (50:46).

The panel also break down Peamount United’s clinical performance against Waterford (1:01:05), as they continue to build momentum.

The episode concludes with a comprehensive roundup of the latest standings and key trends across the Women’s Premier Division, Women’s Development League and U17 competitions, highlighting how the landscape of Irish women’s football continues to evolve.

🎧 Listen now:

https://www.finalwhistle.ie/soccer/loiwomen-s6-e9/

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/

Season 6 continues as Breifne Earley, Aaron Clarke and former Irish international Meabh De Burca look back at the opening weekend of action in the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division.

All match footage included in this episode is provided by licence and with thanks to the Football Association of Ireland, the League of Ireland and its broadcast partners TG4 and LOITV.

The episode begins at Tolka Park where champions Shelbourne opened their title defence with a 2–0 win over Treaty United. The panel discuss Aoife Kelly’s early season opener, a superb save from Treaty goalkeeper Mya Sanchez and the debate over whether McCleary’s header had crossed the line during the contest (1:45). Treaty United manager Laurie Ryan joins the podcast to reflect on the performance and what her side can take from the opening night (12:43), before Shelbourne manager Sean Russell discusses the positives from his side’s winning start to the campaign (17:08).

Attention then turns to Marley Park where Galway United left Dublin with a late 1–0 win over DLR Waves (20:35). Despite the defeat, much of the conversation focuses on the performance of DLR goalkeeper Summer Lawless, who produced a series of sensational saves during the match. The panel also debate whether the young stopper was fortunate to avoid a red card after a late challenge on Ceola Bergin. Lawless herself joins the show to discuss her performance and the team’s start to the season (30:17), followed by reaction from DLR Waves manager Laura Heffernan (31:54) and Galway United manager Phil Trill (34:15). Galway’s winning goal eventually arrived late in the game through Isabella Beletic.

In the south east derby between Waterford and Wexford (37:54), the sides played out an entertaining scoreless draw where penalties, goal line clearances and impressive saves dominated proceedings in a lively encounter.

The weekend’s highest scoring match came in Greenogue as Peamount United and Bohemians shared four goals (52:16). Twice Sarah McKevitt had Bohemians in front, but Peamount responded through Sorcha Melia and Mary Phillips to secure a point. Bohemians defender Lisa Murphy reflects on the match (55:07), before Peamount manager Gary Seery gives his thoughts on an open and entertaining contest (56:43).

In the northwest, Sligo Rovers produced a strong performance against champions Athlone Town (1:01:40). Dana Scheriff had given the visitors the lead, but a late Emma Hansberry free kick secured a deserved point for the Bit O’ Red, who will feel they could have taken more after creating several chances during the game.

The weekend concluded on Leeside where Shamrock Rovers began the James O’Callaghan era with a 2–0 win over Cork City (1:08:36). Inspired performances from Sadhbh Doyle and Ellen Molloy helped Rovers secure the victory, with Doyle opening the scoring before Emily Corbet added the second to seal the three points.

The panel wrap up the episode with a full round-up of the weekend’s results across the division (1:12:03).

Episode 6 — the weekly preview show — will be available on Thursday as the podcast continues its coverage of the 2026 season.

🎧 Listen now:

https://www.finalwhistle.ie/soccer/loiwomen-s6-e5/

Season 6 continues as Breifne Earley, Aaron Clarke and Peamount United’s Avril Brierley look ahead to the beginning of the Women’s Premier Division campaign and explore how clubs across the league are shaping up for the new season.

The conversation opens with the players’ perspective ahead of a new campaign (1:07), as Avril offers insight into what the final days of pre-season look like from inside a squad — from preparation and expectations to the mindset players carry into the opening fixtures.

Breifne and Aaron then continue their Women’s Premier Division previews (11:47), discussing how squads across the league are developing and what early indicators might reveal about the contenders for the 2026 season.

The focus then turns to the northwest as Sligo Rovers manager Gavin Hughes joins the podcast (25:13). He discusses how he found himself in the manager’s chair at the Showgrounds, the challenges of preparing for a new season, and the impact of welcoming a number of overseas recruits into the squad as the club looks to strengthen its position in the Women’s Premier Division.

The episode closes with a look ahead to the upcoming fixtures across the pathway competitions, beginning with the Women’s Development League schedule (42:55) before previewing the next round of fixtures in the Women’s U17 League (43:36).

With the league season now within touching distance, Episode 4 continues our comprehensive build-up to the 2026 campaign across every level of the domestic game.

🎧 Listen now:

https://www.finalwhistle.ie/soccer/loiwomen-s6-e4/

Season 6 continues with a special double-episode week as Breifne Earley, Aaron Clarke and Peamount United’s Avril Brierley look back on the opening silverware of the season and continue our coverage of the Women’s Development League.

The episode begins with the key moments from the President’s Cup Final (2:00), with match highlights provided by kind arrangement with the League of Ireland and the Football Association of Ireland. We then break down the contest in detail as Breifne, Aaron and Avril analyse how the season curtain-raiser unfolded and what it might mean for both sides heading into the Women’s Premier Division campaign (6:54).

Attention then turns to the international stage as Aaron reviews the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team’s recent outings against two European heavyweights. Ireland suffered narrow 2-1 defeats to both France and the Netherlands during the international window, performances that raised plenty of talking points about the squad’s development and where the team stands ahead of future competitive fixtures (23:13).

The spotlight then moves back to the domestic pathway as CK United captain Fia Murphy (38:32) joins the show. She discusses the club’s exciting start in the Women’s Development League, the environment being built within CK United, and the importance of providing opportunities for young players in emerging senior programmes.

With the new season gathering momentum across every level of the game, this is the first of two episodes this week as the podcast continues to track the early storylines shaping the 2026 campaign.

The new season edges closer, and in Episode 2 of Season 6 Breifne Earley and Aaron Clarke continue the build-up to the first silverware of 2026 — the President’s Cup Final between Athlone Town and Shelbourne.

The lads complete their comprehensive Women’s Premier Division squad previews as transfer business begins to settle and genuine contenders start to reveal themselves.

They go through Sligo Rovers updates (2:00), Peamount United (5:38), DLR Waves (11:00), Shamrock Rovers (18:22), Galway United (25:04), Shelbourne (29:44) & Athlone Town (33:33)

With squads taking shape, attention turns fully to Sunday’s President’s Cup Final.

Athlone Town forward Madison Gibson (45:50) joins the show to discuss the new arrivals in the Midlands, the departures from last season’s double-winning squad, and the mentality required to defend a title. She also steps into the hot seat for the FinalWhistle President’s Cup Quiz — can she beat Jess Gargan’s score from last week?

The focus then shifts to the Women’s Development League, where three new senior teams secured landmark first wins. Cobh Ramblers’ Alice Ahmeti (1:20:12) joins the podcast to reflect on her pathway from Leeside and Cork City to becoming part of Cobh’s ambitious project. She discusses the club structure, the importance of senior opportunity, and her hopes for the season ahead, as CK United and St. Patrick’s Athletic also celebrate breakthrough moments.

Breifne and Aaron close out the episode by reviewing the latest results, fixtures and tables from both the Women’s Development League and the Women’s U17 League, as the foundations of the next generation continue to strengthen.

Season 6 is building momentum — and the competitive action hasn’t even started yet.