Shelbourne W vs Galway United W

A goalless first half belied the intensity of the contest. Shelbourne captain Pearl Slattery saw a header scrape the outside of the post inside the opening 10 minutes from Aoibheann Clancy's delivery. Galway responded through Aoibheann Costello, whose own header drifted wide.

Clancy's set pieces caused persistent problems for the Galway defence. She picked out competition top scorer Becky Watkins inside the area, but the forward failed to connect cleanly from close range. At the other end, Aoibheann Donnelly tested range with a 30-yard effort that sailed just over Mya Sanches' crossbar.

The deadlock was broken eight minutes into the second half. Watkins atoned for her earlier miss by collecting the ball on the right flank, cutting inside and unleashing a curling strike into the far top corner — her seventh goal of the competition and one that gave McQuillan, a former Shelbourne goalkeeper, no chance.

Galway introduced Remi Tillotson moments after the goal and began to push for an equaliser. Emma Doherty showed sharp movement inside the area but could only poke a shot goalwards under pressure.

With 15 minutes remaining, Doherty thought she had levelled when latching onto Donnelly's through ball, but the flag went up for a marginal offside — the finish into the bottom corner ruled out.

Shelbourne made the visitors pay within minutes. Alex Kavanagh recycled a set piece, looping the ball back into the area where Slattery rose to head home and double the lead. Galway's bench erupted in protest, with claims of offside against Watkins and a potential push by Slattery on Tillotson.

Incensed by the decision, McQuillan raced over to remonstrate with the linesman and was shown a straight red card in the 77th minute — leaving Galway to play the final quarter-hour with 10 players. Shelbourne saw out the remainder comfortably to secure the trophy.

Becky Watkins (Shelbourne W) — 8/10. Missed a gilt-edged chance in the first half but produced a moment of genuine quality to open the scoring, cutting inside from the right and curling into the top corner. Finished the competition with seven goals.

Pearl Slattery (Shelbourne W) — 8/10. The captain led by example. Hit the post early, was a constant threat from set pieces, and sealed the win with a looping header. Lifted the trophy on her home ground.

Aoibheann Clancy (Shelbourne W) — 7/10. The architect of much of Shelbourne's best work from dead-ball situations. Her delivery created the early chance for Slattery and maintained pressure throughout.

Shelbourne's 2-0 scoreline undersells the contest's balance. The first half was an even, high-intensity battle with both sides creating presentable chances — Slattery's header off the post and Costello's wide attempt were the pick. Galway's Doherty was a persistent threat on the break and had a goal correctly ruled out for offside at a crucial juncture. The second half swung decisively on two moments: Watkins' quality finish and the offside call that preceded Slattery's goal. Galway's red card (McQuillan, 77') effectively ended any hope of a comeback.

Shelbourne claim their first Women's All-Island Cup title after falling at the semi-final stage in each of the previous two editions (2023, 2025). Galway United, winners of the competition in 2023 and 2024, suffered their first defeat in the tournament's history and missed the chance to complete a hat-trick of titles. Both sides now turn their attention to the League of Ireland Women's Premier Division campaign and the FAI Cup.

A final that lived up to the billing. Shelbourne were the sharper side in the second half and took their chances when they mattered. Galway will feel the offside decision was harsh, but the Reds' persistence from set pieces — a clear tactical advantage — ultimately decided the contest. A deserved first title for Sean Russell's side.

Shelbourne W: Mya Sanches; Jess Gargan (Nia Hannon, 83'), Pearl Slattery, Maggie Pierce, Keeva Keenan; Alex Kavanagh, Abbie Clancy, Aoife Kelly (Rachel Graham, 79'); Becky Watkins, Olivia Damico (Leah Doyle, 64'), Halle Harcourt (Brie Severns, 83').

Galway United W: Amanda McQuillan; Aoibhin Donnelly, Niamh Cotter (Aislinn Meaney, 82'), Aoibheann Costello, Lucy Jayne Grant; Eve Dossen, Niamh Farrelly, Isabella Beletic; Cara Griffin (Nicole Nix, 79'), Abbie Callanan (Remini Tillotson, 64'), Emma Doherty.

Referee: Glen Geraghty. Attendance: 1,368.