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Gordon Brett Added as Head Coach for 2025

The club are delighted to announce the appointment of Gordon Brett to work as Colin Fortune’s Head Coach with the ATAFC Senior Women’s Squad for the upcoming season.

Gordon is entering his 7th season coaching at the club since his return in 2019. He has coached U13, U14, U15, U16, U17 academy teams with medals during his tenure won at U13, U15 and U17 x 2. He had a previous stint as assistant manager of the senior men in 2007 and was U21 manager in 2004. He was Dermot Lennon’s head coach in 2022 and 2023 but also was manager outright of the senior men for a spell in the 2023 season.

Gordon played in the Premier & First Divisions with Athlone Town and Galway Utd in the 1990’s and is also a former manager and captain of the Irish Technical Colleges International team. He holds the UEFA A Licence, UEFA Elite Youth A Licence and an MSc. in Sport & Recreation Management. In his day job Gordon is the Head of Sport at TUS Midlands Campus.

On the appointment Colin said: “I’m absolutely delighted to get Gordon on board this season. Gordon is a top quality coach and will bring a wealth of experience to this group. He has all the qualities and characteristics that I admire in a coach and a person, and his work ethic and attention to detail is second to none.

At this level, you need to surround yourself with people you can trust and that you know will be as hard working as yourself. He thinks about the game in the same way as I do. A lot of his philosophies would align well with my own.

Gordon is a straight talker and won’t be afraid to voice his opinions. He will be a really good foil for myself, he’ll be great in and around the dressing room and more importantly his delivery of coaching sessions will to of top quality, he will improve the players and will challenge the players for them improvements during each interaction”.

Colin Fortune Announces New Signing for 2025 Season

Colin Fortune has today announced a new signing for the 2025 Season as Izzy Groves, a central midfielder, joins the Club from London City Lionesses.

Izzy Groves, grew up in Pickering, Ontario, Canada, a suburb of Toronto, as the daughter of England born mom Linda Groves and Harbour View F.C. club-legend and Jamaican international Hubert Junior ‘Beckenbauer’ Groves (Jamaica Player of the Year 1981/82). She played on scholarship 2016 to 2019 for Roberts Wesleyan University, graduating in 2020 with a pre- med degree in biology. Izzy gained captaincy in her rookie year, earned all-conference honours and helped the team reach the NCCAA D-1 Final 4.

In 2020, she signed with Vilaverdense in the Portuguese Second Division. In her first season, during which she was given the captaincy, she was the team’s leading scorer and Vilaverdense went undefeated and earned promotion to the First Division and they finished 8th in their inaugural season.

For the 2022–23 season, Groves moved to France where she signed with US Saint-Malo in the French second division. She appeared in 23 matches for the club as their dominant holding midfielder.

On 2 September 2023, Groves signed with the London City Lionesses but an injury early on ruled her out for most of the season.

Izzy holds a Jamaican, Canadian and English passport and was called into the Jamaican National Team in November 2023 for the Gold Cup qualifiers, debuting as fan favourite against Panama on November 30, starting both games and assisting Jamaica’s equalizer against Guatemala on 3 December 2023. She was most recently called up in 2024 for friendlies against Chile and Brazil.

Welcome to The Club Izzy!!

Get ready for 2025 with a new Season Ticket – click here

Colin Fortune Named As New Senior Women’s Manager

Athlone Town AFC are delighted to announce that Colin Fortune has been appointed as Manager of our Senior Women’s Team. Colin has a long and distinguished career as a player and in management in the League of Ireland and the Club believes that this experience makes him the ideal candidate to lead the Senior Women’s Team to the next level.


As well as having played for Athlone Colin also played for Kildare County, Dundalk and Galway and Captained the Republic of Ireland Military Team at the World Military games. At the conclusion of his playing career Colin took on the Role of Academy Coach with Athlone and worked his way up through the age groups and was appointed Senior Mens Team Manager for 2016/17.


In October 2019 Colin took on the role of Full Time Assistant Manager at Galway United under Alan Murphy and then John Caulfield for three years and for the last twelve years Colin has served as Head Coach at TUS Midlands where he has recently been appointed as Soccer Development Coach specialising in Recruitment and Development.


On his appointment Colin said ”I’m honoured to be offered the position of Team Manager for Athlone Town Senior Women’s Team. It’s great to be back in Elite football and with the opportunity to lead a team at the highest level of competition in Irish football and on the European stage in the Champions League.”
We are sure that you will all join with us in wishing Colin all the best as he leads the team in what is sure to be a very exciting season.

ATAFC Players Pick Up Honours At PFAI Awards Night

Former Athlone Town manager Ciaran Kilduff and players Maddie Gibson, and Jesi Rossman were at The College Green Hotel in Dublin on Saturday to collect their PFA Ireland Women’s Premier Division Team of the Year 2024 medals during the PFA Ireland Awards.

Dean Ebbe also picked up his PFA Ireland Men’s First Division Team of the Year 2024 medal.

Athlone Town WU19s Clinch League Title!

The Athlone Town Under-19s capped a remarkable season by winning the Tier 1 League, finishing ahead of Shelbourne FC by a 4-point margin.

Over the course of the season, the team played ten matches, winning six, drawing two, and losing two. The squad’s attacking prowess was clear, with a total of 26 goals scored, while their defence remained resolute, conceding only ten goals.

Shelbourne managed to overcome Athlone in the cup final, taking a narrow 3-2 victory, but Athlone Town’s consistency across the season was enough to secure the league title.

Season Highlights

The season began on a high note with a commanding 6-2 victory over Shelbourne, with Hazel leading the charge with two goals, with the other goals from Emma, Brenda, Mary, and Emily.

A 3-1 away win against Wexford followed, where Hazel found the net twice alongside a goal from Olivia.

Athlone continued their winning streak by defeating Cork City 4-0, thanks to goals from Hazel, Muireann, TJ, and Olivia.

The team faced a tough 1-0 defeat to Shamrock Rovers in their fourth game.

The team bounced back with a 2-0 home victory against Bohemians, with goals from Hazel and Aoife MOC.

A pivotal moment in the season came during the 1-1 draw against Shelbourne away. Missing five players due to their involvement with the senior squad, the team delivered a tenacious performance. Despite Shelbourne’s strong defence, Athlone’s resilience earned them a crucial point that proved decisive in the title race.

In the following matches, Athlone drew 2-2 with Wexford at home, Hazel again scoring twice.

Then, triumphed with a 4-0 away win against Cork City, with Hazel, Aoife MOC, and Muireann adding to the scoreline.

The penultimate game against Shamrock Rovers saw Athlone secure the title in style with a 4-0 home win. Hazel recorded a hat-trick, and Maeve contributed the fourth goal, ensuring the league crown was theirs.

Unfortunately, the final game of the season against Bohemians was not played due to player absences with international duties; the match was awarded to Bohemians as a 3-0 result.

Team and Individual Achievements

Captain Lucy FitzGerald proudly accepted the trophy on behalf of the team, a testament to the dedication and spirit of each player who contributed to the league-winning campaign.

Hazel was a standout performer and the top goal-scorer of the season, with a remarkable tally of 43 goals across competitions: 37 for the Under-19s, 4 for the Under-17s, and 2 for the senior squad.

A special mention goes to Olivia Kilcackey, who finally achieved her well-deserved goal medal with the club, marking a memorable moment in her journey with Athlone Town.

Congratulations to all players and coaching staff for an outstanding season and for bringing the Tier 1 League title home to Athlone Town!

Supporter Information: Play-off Final At Dalymount Park

Supporter Information: Play-off Final At Dalymount

Here is everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s Men’s First Division Play-off Final against Bray Wanderers at Dalymount Park, kicking-off at 4pm.

Tickets 🎟️

Adult Tickets: €20

Child (U14): €6

Gates open from 3pm.

Tickets MUST be purchased online, there are no tickets available on the gate. Children must be accompanied by an attending adult to gain admission.

PURCHASE MATCH TICKETS HERE

Athlone fans will be in sections E, F  and G. You will enter this section via the gate between the Des Kelly and Jodi Stand.

Bus Service 🚌

The club is providing a bus service between Athlone Town Stadium and Dalymount Park for Saturday’s Play-off fixture. The bus departs from Athlone at 1.30 pm and costs €20 per person. Buy your bus ticket HERE.

Public Transport 🚆

Irish Rail will operate trains between Athlone and Heuston Station on the day. Click HERE to view the timetables. Be sure to select a train arriving in Dublin at least 90 minutes before kick-off to allow ample time for city transport to Phibsboro and to account for any potential delays.

Upon arriving at Heuston, take the LUAS Red Line (toward The Point or Connolly Station) into the City Centre. Get off at either the Jervis Street or Abbey Street stops, and transfer to the LUAS Green Line on O’Connell Street, which will bring you to the Phibsboro stop, a short five-minute walk from Dalymount. Alternatively, the 120, 122, 39, and 39A bus routes, available on O’Connell Street, also pass through Phibsboro.

Car Parking 🅿️

There is ample street parking available around Dalymount Park; however, please note that all areas are paid parking zones. Arriving early is recommended, as these spots tend to fill up quickly near the stadium.

Pubs 🍻

The Mono Bar, located under the stand at Dalymount Park, will open at 3 pm for Athlone Town supporters to enjoy a range of beverages. Additionally, numerous pubs are within walking distance of the stadium

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Athlone Town Are In The Play-off Final!

Athlone Town Are In The Play-off Final!

Athlone Town got the draw they needed to set up a clash with Bray Wanderers in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division Play-off Final, following a tough battle at Ferrycarrig Park. Dean Ebbe’s first leg penalty was enough to send The Town through.

The Play-off Final will take place on Saturday November 2nd at Dalymount Park, supporter buses will be running to and from the stadium and you can book you seats here! Supporter information will be out later in the week, see you all there!

Bray Wanderers v Athlone Town

Play-off Final

  v  

Venue: Dalymount Park
Date: Saturday, November 2nd
Time: 4pm

TICKETS

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Play-Off Semi-Final Second Leg Info

Play-Off Semi-Final Second Leg Info

Athlone Town AFC travel to Wexford on Bank Holiday Monday for the Second Leg of the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division Play-Off Semi-Final. The sides met on Thursday last in the Athlone Town Stadium where the home side saw out a comfortable 1-0 victory, thanks to a penalty by Dean Ebbe.

Athlone will be looking to reach the Play-Off Final, having missed out last year to Waterford FC in the Semi-Final, who went on to achieve promotion against Cork City.

The Second Leg takes place this coming Monday, 28th October 2024 at 3pm in Ferrycarrig Park (Eircode Y35 E296). Fans travelling to the game should note a Supporters Bus is leaving Athlone Town Stadium at 11am. If you would like to book a seat on the bus, please contact Ryan Barkey at 089 471 9727.

Tickets for the match can be purchase via the link below. Please ensure you select “Away Team Supporter” when purchasing.

Wexford FC v Athlone Town

Semi-Final 2nd Leg

v  

Venue: Ferrycarrig Park
Date: Monday, October 28th
Time: 3pm

TICKETS

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Three ATAFC Players Named In PFAI TOTY’S

Three ATAFC Players Named in PFAI TOTY’s

Three Athlone Town players have been selected for the PFAI Team of the Year, as voted by the players in each league.

The American duo of Jesi Rossman and Madie Gibson were named in the Women’s Premier Division PFAI Team of the Year. The pair were instrumental in helping the women’s team secure their first-ever league title, and Madie Gibson was recently named the Womens Premier Division September Player of the Month.

Dean Ebbe has earned a spot on the Men’s First Division PFAI Team of the Year, following an outstanding season in which he scored 15 goals, making him the league’s top goalscorer.  Ebbe’s consistent goal-scoring ability played a crucial role in helping The Town secure a play-off spot.

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Kilduff Steps Down

Athlone Town AFC wish to announce that Ciarán Kilduff has decided to step down from his role as Head Coach of the Athlone Town AFC Women’s team.

Ciarán has been an integral to the club’s success, leading the women’s team to their first-ever Premier Division title in a memorable season.

Speaking on his decision, Ciarán said: “It has been an absolute honour to work with such talented players and dedicated staff. Winning the Premier Division title with this team is something I will cherish forever. However, after much reflection, I feel this is the right moment for me to step away. I informed the club of my decision after the game, I am extremely proud of what we have achieved, and I would like to thank the club, players, and supporters for their incredible support throughout my time here.”

Athlone Town AFC would like to express its gratitude to Ciarán in helping deliver a historic Premier Division title to the club.

We wish him every success in his future endeavours.

The club will begin the search for a new head coach in the coming weeks.