Athlone & Shels to play in historic President's Cup

Athlone Town and Shelbourne will face off in the first ever Women's President's Cup game on Saturday 25 February.

The collision will act as a curtain-raiser to the new SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division campaign, as last year’s double winners Shels will take on runners-up, and beaten cup finalists, Athlone in Athlone Town Stadium.

The fixture will follow on from the men’s clash between Derry City and Shamrock Rovers which will be played on Friday 10 February in the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

FAI President Gerry McAnaney said: "It is fantastic to have Uachtarán na hÉireann Michael D Higgins endorse this President’s Cup for the Women’s Premier Division.

"The President has always been a fervent supporter and terrific ambassador for Irish football. "This fixture is a welcome addition to the League of Ireland calendar and it will showcase the quality of our domestic game, which continues to grow on the back of a memorable season last year.

"As part of the rebrand of the League of Ireland, we want to mirror the promotion of the game equally across the men’s and women’s divisions.

"This game allows us to do just that and we are excited to see both Athlone Town and Shelbourne in action to help us launch the 2023 season."