Athlone WFC W won 4-0
Seanan Brennan opened the scoring in the 19th minute and Athlone WFC W never looked back, dismantling ZFK Skopje 2014 W 4-0 in the UEFA Champions League Women semi-final at Zaglebiowski Park Sportowy in Sosnowiec. Brennan's early strike gave the Irish side control they would not relinquish across a dominant 90 minutes.
The goal proved decisive in shaping the contest. Athlone pressed from the start and Brennan's finish broke the deadlock, allowing the team to dictate play with growing confidence. Skopje offered little resistance as the match unfolded, and Athlone's attacking intent only intensified as the first half progressed.
Nicola Murray added a second goal on 43 minutes to send Athlone into the break with a commanding advantage. The two-goal cushion reflected the gulf in class between the sides. Skopje's defence had no answer to Athlone's movement and precision in the final third, and the Macedonian outfit faced an uphill task from that point forward.
The second half saw Athlone maintain their rhythm without ever needing to shift into a higher gear. They controlled possession, limited Skopje's opportunities and picked their moments to attack. There was no sense of panic or desperation from the Irish side - this was a performance built on structure and clinical finishing.
Deeana Scheriff extended Athlone's lead to 3-0 in the 77th minute before Megan Hand added a fourth in the 82nd minute. The late goals underlined Athlone's superiority and their ability to find the target whenever the opportunity arose. Skopje's resistance had long since crumbled by that stage, and the final scoreline reflected a one-sided semi-final.
Athlone's path to the final is now clear. The performance was controlled rather than spectacular, but it achieved exactly what was required - a convincing victory over an outmatched opponent. Brennan's early goal set the template for what followed: composed, efficient football that allowed Athlone to manage the tie without ever being truly tested. The four goals came from different sources, suggesting attacking depth and a team firing in unison rather than relying on any single player to carry the load.
Skopje depart with nothing to show for their European campaign, unable to trouble Athlone in any meaningful way across the 90 minutes.
