Athlone Town have been given a major pre-season boost after confirming striker Dana Scheriff has returned to the club for the new SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division campaign.
The Midlanders had a brilliant 2025, winning the league and FAI Cup despite boss Colin Fortune making an abrupt departure in September, with John Sullivan taking the reins.
Star striker Kelly Brady was a massive part of their success. She won both the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division Golden Boot Award and the Player of the Year Award, but moved to Crystal Palace over the winter.
Athlone have filled the void by bringing back the American Scheriff, who had an injury-hit first season in 2022 before taking off the following year, winning the Golden Boot and helping the club to an FAI Cup triumph, after they beat Shelbourne on penalties in the final.
She moved on after that success, playing for FC Aarau in Switzerland, FC Brooklyn in New York, and Czech outfit Slavia Praha.
Now, she's back, and it looks a shrewd move by the champions, who brought in veteran attacker Noelle Murray earlier this week after she departed Shelbourne.
They will look to defend their two trophies in 2026 and also make an impact in the Champions League having made it as far as the Round 2 qualifiers last term. After losing to Icelandic champions Breidablik, Athlone dropped down to the Women's Europa Cup, where thy were beaten by Glasgow City.
