Promotion to 2028 Premier League
St Patrick's Athletic announced that its women’s team will compete in the 2028 Premier League, following a rapid ascent since its 2023 inception. The side reached the 2025 finals and finished 5th in the Premier Division with 52 points from 36 games (13 wins, 13 draws, 10 losses). Their recent form of DDDWL shows a team still finding consistency.
Experience Gap
Assistant coach Jenni Hughes said the squad faces a “mix of feelings” because the team’s newcomers lack the depth of play seen at clubs like Old Scotch. “We don’t have the experience and time that Old Scotch do,” she explained. Head coach Chris Cheek added that some players may leave if the step-up doesn’t suit them, but those staying have embraced a “let’s have a crack at this” mindset.
Player Departures
The off-season saw vice-captain Lily Robinson move to Launceston in the Premier League, while former Saints standout Zoe Kingsley also departed. Cheek, who also coaches at Prospect Junior Football Club, stressed that retaining top talent is vital for the club’s ambitions.
Building for the Future
Hughes revealed the board is treating the upcoming season as if the team were already in the Premier League. “We’ve got a season and a half to plan and put things in place and we’re starting to recruit now,” she said. The club will focus on building depth, integrating under-12 and under-14 coaching duties, and aligning training sessions for under-17s with senior women.
Recent Performance
A 0-0 draw against Shelbourne on 2025-11-01, combined with a season tally of 42 goals scored and 32 conceded (+10 goal difference), demonstrates defensive resilience but highlights a need for offensive consistency. The ultimate goal is to narrow the 14-point gap behind leaders Shamrock Rovers and cement a foothold in Ireland’s top tier.
Broader Club Strategy
The promotion reflects a wider club strategy to boost longevity across all teams. By offering a unified development route and retaining talent within the St Patrick's Athletic family, the club hopes to foster a sustainable pipeline that benefits both the men’s and women’s squads. The partnership with Prospect, established in 2021, aims to keep junior graduates together and provide a clear pathway from youth to senior football.
Looking Ahead
St Patrick's Athletic will continue recruiting, fine-tuning tactics, and leveraging its partnership with Prospect to keep promising players from drifting to rival clubs. The upcoming season will test whether the club’s proactive approach can translate into on-field results, potentially reshaping the league landscape and delivering a new era of success for the Saints.
