From A to Z with All-Island trophy being hunted down by Hoops striker Stephanie Zambra

While it may be the Avenir All-Island Cup but if Shamrock Rovers are to win their first piece of silverware since their return in 2023 to the top level of women’s football, they will only do so by beating some familiar high quality opposition from the League of Ireland.

The Hoops defeated League of Ireland Champions Peamount United 3-0 in the quarter-final and the previous season’s double winners Shelbourne 2-1 in the Tolka Park semi-final.

Facing Rovers on Saturday evening at Tallaght Stadium (kick-off 7.35pm) in the final are the reigning All-Island Cup holders Galway United.

The league campaign in 2024 hasn’t gone how the Hoops would have wanted and they sit in eighth place off the pace having waited eight matches before their first victory but they have three wins and a draw from their last five Premier Division games.

“Since the mid-season break we got a bit more confidence back and have got those wins,” said Stephanie Zambra when speaking to this reporter on the Tales from the East Stand Podcast ahead of this weekend’s cup final.

Celje and Drogheda recaps, interviews with author @KBurkeDudelange on UCD's European adventure in 2015 and @StephanieRoche9 ahead of Saturday's All-Island Cup Final 🎙☘️https://t.co/P7KCoFaYCo

— Tales From The East Stand (@EastStandPod) August 15, 2024

“I think similar to last season, we were getting draws when we should have got wins and were probably unlucky to lose games when we should have got something from them. It is just the fine margins.

“I don't think we have come away from any game thinking that we were completely outplayed, it was just moments within games where we missed chances and where we gifted teams goals. We know that in order to do well in this league you have to stop those mistakes and take those opportunities to score.

“It has been difficult in the league but we have had good cup runs and that is our focus now,” said Zambra who along with her teammates will also play Shels in the FAI Cup quarter-final on Monday 26th August in Tallaght Stadium.

“We have our first chance to win a trophy on Saturday. It is great to be in the position we are in. We have had a good run in this cup. Galway are a very good team and it will be a very good game. Hopefully we can get a good crowd into Tallaght Stadium to get behind us.”

The last trophy won by Rovers in the women’s game was a 2002 Dublin Women’s Soccer League but having qualifierd from their group in this competition – drawing 1-1 away to Treaty United and 2-2 to Crusaders as well as beating DLR Waves 4-0 at home – they progressed through the knockout stages to the final.

“It was refreshing to play a few of the teams in the north. We played against Glentoran in the All-Island Cup last season (winning away 3-2) as well in pre-season. It was nice to have those different tests throughout this competition.

"There were maybe a few people who were sceptical whether it would work and how it would fit into our schedule but it has been a good competition and it is nice to have made it to the final having played a few different teams along the way.”

The Hoops have played United twice in the league this season – losing 1-0 in Tallaght and by the same margin last weekend in Galway. “When we look back on the games particularly the weekend just gone, it was quite a close enough game.

"We know we didn't play to the best of our ability and they got a scrappy penalty to win it. 

“We gave a good account of ourselves in the home game and last time it was another tight game. We know on Saturday we can do a little bit better. It is about fixing the things that didn't go right.”