3 days ago
Shels star Gargan: Rovers rematch feels like Cup final
Women's FAI Cup holders Shelbourne continue the defence of their title this weekend, and their date with rivals Shamrock Rovers is easily the plum tie of the round.
Shels knocked out the Tallaght side in dramatic circumstances at the same stage last season and Reds' midfielder Jess Gargan has no problem acknowledging this Friday night kick-off represents the latest round of a brooding Dublin rivalry.
"It feels massive and I think it probably stems from last year," Gargan told RTÉ Sport earlier this week.
"It was a midweek game, nearly went to extra time, but we got a late goal at the end. We were down to 10 players, Pearl [Slattery] got sent off. It almost felt like a cup final – that's our memories from last year going into this week."
Shelbourne have been to four straight WFAI Cup finals and are currently sitting on a 50-50 return for that run with two wins in 2022 and 2024 entwined with a pair of defeats, first in 2021 to Wexford Youths, and a 2023 loss to Athlone on penalties.
However, there's something about a Shels-Rovers rematch that provokes that unique Cup feeling. Straight knockout situation. Win or go home. No grey areas here.
"Even though it's a quarter final, we're probably treating it like a final. I think you have to treat every game like a final at this stage," Gargan added.
"At the start of the season they have one up on us, they beat us in the league so I think we have a point to prove this week.
"It's always been a tough game against Rovers, whether it's League, whether it's Cup, even the All-Island Cup last year as well, they beat us in. So, we know it's going to be a tough game, but we're really looking forward to it."
Shelbourne are currently looking down at the rest from atop the league table with European heroes – and finalists in three straight Cup deciders – Athlone Town hot on their heels. That leaves some of the expected heavyweights of the Women's League Of Ireland languishing somewhat in mid-table obscurity.
Peamount United, league winners in the inaugural 2011-12 season and four times overall (most recently just two season ago), currently sit in eighth position. Rovers – late to the WLOI party, but not short of financial clout – are in sixth spot.
That might suggest Friday's meeting means more to the Tallaght women in terms of opportunities for silverware. But either way, it's seems increasingly clear that Shels-Rovers is becoming one of the most interesting rivalries in the women's game.
Gargan, having worn the colours of both, is perfectly placed to pinpoint the rivalry's origins.
"It probably stems from the fact that, when when Rovers came into the league, a good few of us went to Rovers. So that created that rivalry," Gargan explained.
"Obviously, we're two Dublin teams as well, but the rivalry was created pretty soon when they came into the league. So from the get go, it was there.
"To be fair, a lot of teams that play against us, for one reason or another, always want to beat us. Which is a compliment to us. Teams always show up against us as well.
"We're looking forward to it. You want to be playing in these big games, games that are tight and that are going to be back and forth.
"They're more exciting for us. It's better than playing against a team that sits back for 70, 80 minutes. When two teams are going at it, it's good for people to watch."
