Holders Athlone set up repeat FAI Cup final date with Shels

There will be a familiar pairing in this year's Women's FAI Cup final as holders Athlone Town progressed to face Shelbourne in this year's decider for the third year running.

Shauna Brennan scored the only goal of the game as Athlone found a way past Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds at the semi-final stage for the second year in a row to set up another final with Shels at Tallaght Stadium on 20 October.

Chasing a league and cup double and with both sides at opposite ends of the league table, as expected it was the visitors and holders who commanded the opening half.

A bright light in what has been a disappointing season for Rovers, centre half Keeva Flynn impressed throughout her 71 minutes on the pitch and began her afternoon by denying Cameroon international Brenda Tabe's goalward effort which followed Madison Gibson's set piece from the left.

Gibson was a constant threat down Town's left and went close herself on the quarter hour. Her wickedly struck, looping free-kick whistled narrowly over Bonnie McKiernan's upright after referee Alan Patchell had penalised Eimear Lafferty after the ball had come off the Donegal woman's hand.

Athlone's Ciara O'Neill was next to threaten for the league leaders 60 seconds later, but she couldn't get a telling touch to a Gibson corner which was knocked towards the back post by an Athlone head.

Gibson's mid-air volley flew past McKiernan's post shortly before the same player forced the corner which led to the deciding goal.

Sligo were caught lapsing from the resulting set-piece, leaving both provider O'Neill and goalscorer Brennan unmarked. Brennan's shot taking a big deflection off Rovers skipper Emma Hansberry on its way past McKiernan.

The hosts had their opening chance from their first