Athlone Town chairman Nick Giannotti says he's determined to sustain the "momentum" of the women's team after witnessing the Midlanders lift the Sports Direct FAI Cup to complete the double on Sunday.
It's been a brilliant campaign for Athlone. They won the title, then the cup and made inroads in Europe, reaching Round 2 of Champions League qualifying before featuring in the newly formed Europa Cup.
As the men's team flounders in the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division, the women flourish. They've now won three trophies in three years, benefiting from an ability to attract strong overseas players and blending them into an established Irish core.
Shortly after taking over Athlone in June, Giannotti and Eric Perez's sports investment firm Redball Global FC bought a stake in Northern Irish club Larne. Giannotti is also a director and minority shareholder at Plymouth Argyle, whose women's side is managed by former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Marie Hourihan.
He insists all three clubs can benefit each other, describing his portfolio as "the family".
"You'll have to calm me down, it's pretty darn exciting," said Giannotti after watching Athlone beat Bohemians 3-2 at Tallaght Stadium.
"I said from the moment I met them that this is a very special group of girls. You see how great they are together. I’m glad to help them through this journey. It’s not mine – it’s theirs and really, really special.
"There's a lot of things that Athlone Town can be and I’m here to help that with where we plan on going.
"The reality is the women’s team has momentum. That’s important to me.
"We had the managers, men’s and women’s, from Larne here today. They had a good day out. We have a good support group, people supporting each other in the family."
The big question for Athlone now is whether they can keep this team together. The likes of Kelly Brady, Hannah Waesch, Izzy Groves and Natalie McNally will have plenty of suitors in the off season. But Gianotti is confident Athlone are holding a strong hand in that regard.
"There will always be players who want to go and some will stay," he said. "The reality is we're going back to the Champions League next season.
"They're a great group and within they’ll have to convince themselves. It will be fine. We’ll get some new players who will want to come and play for this great team.
"Athlone is a great community. When you’re the best in Ireland, qualifying for the Champions League again, it’s not too hard of a sell.
"The women’s section has been great for the community and team. We’re advancing and investing in the women’s section all the time.
"We’re already planning for next year, trying to make the match-day environment more attractive. We’ll drive more festivities at the ground. "We have a great facility with lots of land and space to do things."
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