North Carolina’s women’s soccer team is set to embark on its first overseas tour in fifteen years, landing in Dublin for a friendly against Shelbourne FC on Friday at 2 p.m. Eastern Time.
The match forms part of a broader university initiative that intertwines football with Irish research collaborations, aiming to deepen academic and athletic ties across the Atlantic.
Coach Damon Nahas brings a personal connection to the fixture, having previously mentored Shelbourne midfielder Maggie Pierce, a key figure who helped UNC reach the Women’s College Cup in 2019 and 2022.
Navigating obstacles on foreign soil
The trip arrives amid a congested international calendar, with several pivotal players absent due to commitments at the U‑20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, a factor that adds a layer of uncertainty to the preparation.
Despite the missing pieces, sophomore forward Bella Devey, the recent ACC Offensive Player of the Week, will feature for the Tar Heels, bringing fresh attacking impetus to the side.
Shelbourne FC, currently a dominant force in the League of Ireland Premier Division, enter the game after capturing both the 2024 FAI Women’s Cup and the 2025 FAI Women’s President’s Cup, underscoring the quality of opposition awaiting UNC.
The encounter will be staged at Tolka Park, while nearby Aviva Stadium will host a separate football fixture, illustrating the shared infrastructure that supports multiple sports in the city.
Beyond the result, the tour is intended to spotlight UNC’s soccer program on a global stage and to open pathways for future international collaborations, reinforcing the university’s ambition to grow the sport beyond domestic borders.