'Everything clicked' - Boss Eoin Wearen toasts superb Shelbourne

Shelbourne boss Eoin Wearen toasted a Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup final glory a year in the making after watching his side overwhelm league champions Athlone Town on Sunday.

Wearen got the better of his old friend Ciarán Kilduff, who he came up against when both were playing in the League of Ireland.

Kilduff, who had led Athlone to their first ever SSE Airtricity Premier Division title earlier this month, announced that he will be stepping down from his role with Athlone, in the wake of the defeat.

"I was here last year at the final (which Athlone won, beating Shels on penalties) having a good idea I was going to get the job so you're talking maybe 12 months building up to this moment," reflected Wearen, who succeeded Noel King as head coach at Shels.

"The girls deserve this, the club deserves it. The staff have been magnificent all year.

"Me and Ciarán would know each other from our playing days, having played against each other. We've spoken a few times, I wouldn't say regularly, over the course of the year.

"We want the same things for the league, we want the same things for the players in terms of the standards. It's great to get the support we did today. Do I think it could be better? Absolutely. Even in tough conditions today, you can see the quality on show.

"I've got a lot of respect for Ciarán. It's probably fitting that we have one trophy and they have one because we've pushed each other."

Shelbourne raced into a six-goal lead in a remarkable opening half, spearheaded by former Republic of Ireland underage international Kate Mooney. She scored twice to underscore the influence she's had on this Shels team since arriving to Tolka Park in the summer.

"It's hard to sum her up," Wearen said of the striker.

"Players like