Bohemians head into the biggest game in our women’s team history tomorrow as we face Athlone Town in the Sports Direct FAI Cup Final at Tallaght Stadium (kick-off 3pm), writes GARY O’CONNOR.
It’s a landmark occasion for the club, the second senior women’s cup final in Bohemians history and it comes at the end of a season of major progress for Alban Hysa’s young side.
Bohs concluded their SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division campaign last weekend with a thrilling 3-3 draw away to Peamount United, extending their unbeaten run to seven games. It was another show of resilience from a team that has made fighting back something of a trademark in recent weeks.
Reflecting on the Peamount draw, Hysa was proud of his side’s character, even if the goals conceded left him frustrated.
“We gave away sloppy goals that should have been prevented, and we spoke about that before the game,” he said. “It wasn’t a great start, but we went into the break 2-1 down and still very much in it. For most of the half, we were the better team, their goals came against the run of play really.
We kept pushing and never dropped our heads, even at 3-1. That’s great to see because that’s what you expect in the week of a final. The players have been showing that fight for the past few weeks now. We just need to cut out those mistakes so they don’t happen on Sunday.”
With the league now complete, all focus turns to tomorrow’s decider at Tallaght Stadium.
“Listen, it’s the biggest game in the club’s short lived history in the women’s game,” Hysa said. “Everyone is buzzing for it. We can’t wait for Sunday to arrive at this point we’re all very excited.”
Athlone Town go into the final as league champions and favourites, having won nine of their last ten matches. They also boast European experience, having represented Ireland in the UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers in the summer.
Hysa knows the scale of the task that awaits but believes his side can compete if they play to their potential.
“Athlone will go in as favourites and they’ll come at us all guns blazing,” he admitted. “If we don’t give away any sloppy goals, the game will be very tight. It could take moments of magic to unlock it.
“We need to be mindful of their set pieces and corners that’s where most of their danger comes from. I don’t think they’ll open us up the way they’ve done with other teams, but we have to be alert on both wings. We suffered a bit on our right-hand side in the last game against them, where a lot of their crosses came from. It will be a very tough game, and I just hope the players play the game rather than the occasion.”
Bohs reached the Avenir Sports All Island Cup final earlier this season, and Hysa hopes that experience of a showpiece occasion will help his squad handle the big stage this time around.
“I certainly hope so,” he said. “You’d like to think that having been in that environment before will help, but with all the noise and attention around this final, it’s hard to predict. I just hope the players can block that out and focus on playing their game.”
The Bohemians boss praised the unity in his squad, especially considering how many young players have stepped up this season.
“It’s been very important,” Hysa said. “When you have so many young players and new faces who haven’t played together before, building that kind of unity is not easy.
“The group has come a long way. The experienced players and staff have been key in creating that balance. Everyone fights for each other that character and attitude has been vital to getting us here.”
Sunday’s final comes just a week after the Bohemians U19 women’s team claimed the LOI Academy Cup, beating Treaty United 2–0 in Athlone a result that filled Hysa with pride.
“It’s amazing, the first ever trophy for the women’s side,” he said. “A few of those players are part of the first team too, so it’ll stand to them. It shows the progress being made right across the club, from the academy up.
“To have both the U19s winning a cup and the seniors reaching two finals in the same year shows how far the women’s programme has come. It changes how the club is seen and helps attract new players. The progress is there for everyone to see.”
The U19s’ victory also carried personal resonance for Hysa, he guided Peamount United’s U19 side to the same competition’s title in 2022, when they beat Shamrock Rovers 3–0 in Athlone. Now, three years later, he’s preparing to lead Bohemians into a senior cup final.
Finally, Hysa had a simple message for the Bohemians supporters ahead of the final.
“Bring all the noise,” he said. “The kids will be amazed to see so many fans there, we will need everything we can get that could potentially change the outlook of the game, we need that 12th voice on the pitch. We’ll need every bit of that support on Sunday.”
Shauna Carroll (foot) and Aoibhe Fleming (foot) remain out.
- Tickets remain on sale – please use the following ticket link to ensure your tickets are for the Bohemians sections: https://www.ticketmaster.ie/event/180062D9A26986A1?did=bohemianfc
- The bars in Dalymount Park will be open after the game
Audio Descriptive Commentary will be in place for tomorrow’s game.
With Audio Descriptive Commentary, fans who are blind or visually impaired can enjoy an immersive experience, capturing every detail of the action.
For more information and to avail of this service please e-mail leagueofireland@fai.ie.