There will be a familiar pairing in this year's Women's FAI Cup final as holders Athlone Town progressed to face Shelbourne in this year's decider for the third year running.
Shauna Brennan scored the only goal of the game as Athlone found a way past Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds at the semi-final stage for the second year in a row to set up another final with Shels at Tallaght Stadium on 20 October.
Chasing a league and cup double and with both sides at opposite ends of the league table, as expected it was the visitors and holders who commanded the opening half.
A bright light in what has been a disappointing season for Rovers, centre half Keeva Flynn impressed throughout her 71 minutes on the pitch and began her afternoon by denying Cameroon international Brenda Tabe's goalward effort which followed Madison Gibson's set piece from the left.
Gibson was a constant threat down Town's left and went close herself on the quarter hour. Her wickedly struck, looping free-kick whistled narrowly over Bonnie McKiernan's upright after referee Alan Patchell had penalised Eimear Lafferty after the ball had come off the Donegal woman's hand.
Athlone's Ciara O'Neill was next to threaten for the league leaders 60 seconds later, but she couldn't get a telling touch to a Gibson corner which was knocked towards the back post by an Athlone head.
Gibson's mid-air volley flew past McKiernan's post shortly before the same player forced the corner which led to the deciding goal.
Sligo were caught lapsing from the resulting set-piece, leaving both provider O'Neill and goalscorer Brennan unmarked. Brennan's shot taking a big deflection off Rovers skipper Emma Hansberry on its way past McKiernan.
The hosts had their opening chance from their first corner six minutes from the break.
Ex-Athlone midfielder Muireann Devaney's cross was headed into the air by Tabe at the front post. The ball looped backwards, landing on the head of another former Town player Kelsie Munroe whose header was stopped on the line by Athlone keeper Katie Keane, although there were shouts from the Sligo contingent that the ball had breached the goal-line.
Rovers' Keri Loughrey tested Keane with an effort from the angle early in the second period as Tommy Hewitt's charges sought to plot a way back into this last four tie.
A well-worked short corner between Gibson and Sligo native Roisin Molloy then resulted in Gibson trying to catch McKiernan out at her front post, but the Cavan born net-minder was clever to the tricky Gibson's intentions.
Gurteen's Molloy wasn't far off a goal against her home town club 15 minutes from time, but her shot fizzed past the post as the Westmeath side searched for a goal which would have settled things.
There was plenty of endeavour from a young Rovers side for the remainder of the tie, but their efforts counted for nothing as Athlone saw the game out.
Substitute Kate Nugent's long range effort in added time the closest they came to an elusive equaliser. Keane happily claimed the speculative shot from 35 yards without much fuss.
Sligo Rovers: Bonnie McKiernan; Cara King (Rachel McGoldrick 71), Keeva Flynn (Kate Nugent 71), Kelsey Munroe, Alice Lille (Sarah Kiernan 86); Muireann Devaney, Emma Hansberry (Katie Melly 80), Eimear Lafferty (Jess Casey 80); Keri Loughrey, Anna McDaniel; Paula McGrory (Leah Kelly 80).
Athlone Town: Katie Keane; Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Ciara O'Neill, Shauna Brennan; Laurie Ryan, Kate Slevin, Madison Gibson, Roisin Molloy; Emily Burke (Isabel Ryan 77); Brenda Tabe.
Referee: Alan Patchell.
Attendance: 541
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