Howe leaves in blow for Athlone - but title rivals drop points

Athlone Town's hopes of winning the Women's Premier Division title have been dealt a blow with the news that Casey Howe has left the club to join Nottingham Forest.

A Northern Ireland international, Howe has made a major impact in attack for Athlone this season. Having joined Athlone from Sligo Rovers, Howe's goalscoring ability has helped the midlanders to the summit of the table.

Indeed, Howe was chosen as the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division Player of the Month award for April.

In an online post, Athlone Town thanked Howe "for her hard work and dedication during her time at the club" and wished her the best of luck with the move to Nottingham Forest.

Speaking about her move to Forest, Howe said: “I’ve always wanted to be a professional footballer ever since I was a kid so to make that happen and come to such a big club is amazing.”

Meanwhile, although Athlone were not in action last weekend, their league title hopes actually received a boost with second-placed Shelbourne held to a 1-1 draw by Dublin rivals Bohemians on Saturday.

Ciarán Kilduff's charges remain top of the table, two points ahead of Shels, but with a game in hand. Athlone's next match is at home to Cork City next Saturday night (kick-off 7.30pm).

The Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup semi-final between holders Athlone and Sligo Rovers has been confirmed for Sunday, Sunday 22 at The Showgrounds (kick-off 3pm). Sligo are bottom of the Women's Premier Division table having failed to win a league game this season.

The other semi-final, Shelbourne vs Cork City, will be played on September 21 at Tolka Park (2pm). The draw for the semi-finals has kept alive the possibility of a final between Athlone and Shelbourne for the third year in a row. Athlone defeated Shels on penalties in last year's final, reversing the result of the 2022 decider.