Author: Admin

Substitutes Make the Difference in Wexford 

Athlone rescued a draw in Ferrycarraig Park on the 3^rd of May 2024 playing out a 2-2 against Wexford.

Athlone started well and created a few chances in the first half could have found the front after 14 minutes when the bright Amwardo Oakley crossed the ball and Dean Ebbe almost turned it in at the front post.

Wexford had their own chance shortly after when Thomas Oluwa held the ball well and laid off the ball to Mark Hanratty who shot from 19 yards out but it was easily saved by Enda Minogue.

The hosts started to turn up the pressure and in the 19^th minute Mikie Rowe showed great feet to create a chance to run at goal but again Minogue saved well. From the resulting throw in, a long throw into the box wasn’t dealt with and after two penalty shouts Rowe fired the ball into the bottom corner putting the hosts 1-0 up.

Athlone could have got one back in the 24^th minute when Tetteh played in Mujaguzi but he couldn’t connect with it cleanly having been well martialled by the Wexford defenders.

Thomas Oluwa had a chance to double the lead when he broke through but only for goalkeeper Minogue it would have been 2-0. From the resulting corner it was 2-0, Ethan Boyle lost his marker and powered his header home at the front post. 

Just before halftime Athlone could have nicked one, a Brian Torre cross was headed towards goal by Ebbe but it was well kept out Owen Mason in the Wexford goal.

Dario rang the changes at half time introducing Jamar, Aaron and Jamal. Athlone had it all to do and piled on the pressure in the opening few minutes. From a corner in the opening minutes of the second half that was bouncing around the box and fell to German who side footed the ball home and Athlone were back in the game.

Both teams were creating chances, and it was anyone’s game. Athlone finally got the breakthrough in fortuitous circumstances. In the 81^st minute a Jamar Campion-Hinds long throw was turned into his own net by Cian O’Malley. Both teams had chances to win the game and despite a scoring app indicating Athlone had won it the game finished 2-2 with a share of the points going to both teams.

Following match day twelve this result sees Athlone move fifth and Wexford move fourth in the table both on nineteen points.

Full-Time Score: Wexford FC 2-2 Athlone Town AFC

Athlone Town AFC: Enda Minogue, German Fuentes Rodriguez, Daniel McKenna, Dylan Hand, Dean Ebbe, Carl Mujaguzi (Shane Forbes 92’), Amardo Akeem Oakley, Oisin Duffy © (Jamar Campion-Hinds), Brian Torre, Matthew Leal (Aaron Connolly 45’), Gideon Tetteh (Jamal Ibrahim 45’)

Unused Substitutes: Andrew Stuart Trainor, Shaun O Donnell, Divine Izekor, Brendan Lauder, Ciaran Nolan.

Goals: Wexford – Mikie Rowe (12′), Ethan Boyle (18′). Athlone – German Fuentes (51′), Cian O’Malley OG (81′).

Bookings: None

Attendance: 252

AthloneTownAFC.ie Man of The Match: Aaron Connolly

Date: Monday 6^th May 2024
Kick-off: 5pm
Venue: Markets Fields, Limerick

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this much-anticipated match.
Athlone Town have never beaten Treaty in Markets Field so it’s a difficult place to visit for the Town. On Friday last, their first and second half performances were night and day. We will be hoping that it’s the Athlone in the second half we see take the field in Limerick.

The town sit in fifth place on nineteen points.

Treaty haven’t been able to replicate their early season form of late and will be hoping to change that on this bank holiday weekend fixture.

Treaty sit eight on twelve points.

Dario Castelo stated, “We have a few players carrying injuries and the games are coming quickly. The second half was very good on Friday and that’s what I want to think about.”

Team News

Athlone Town AFC have a couple of injury concerns, with Jamar Campion Hinds, Oisin Duffy and Aaron Connolly still struggling with injury only managed 45 mins each on Friday. Noah Van Geenen is still a few weeks away from returning to play. Jarlath Jones returns from suspension.

Past Encounters

Athlone have never really enjoyed playing Treaty having only every beaten them twice. The have played a total of 12 times with Treaty winning 7 of those, so Treaty Manager Tommy Barrett knows what it takes to beat this Athlone side. Their first game this season finished 1-0 to Athlone, an early Aaron Connolly goal on that occasion was the difference.

Key Players to Watch

For Athlone Town AFC, Aaron Connolly’s introduction at half time on Friday changed the game for Athlone. He is someone that when he is playing well, so do Athlone. We hope that he can add to his goal he got the last time the two teams faced each other.

Treaty United Thomas Considine struggled with early season fitness but he is most definitely one to watch for Treaty he has three goals already this season which is an excellent return for the Kildare Man

Match Tickets
Treaty United FC vs Athlone Town AFC 6th of May 2024

Live Coverage:

The game will be streamed live on LOITV at the below link. Individual match passes can be purchased for €5 or viewers can purchase a season pass which will give them access to all games across the League of Ireland.

TREATY UNITED V ATHLONE TOWN (loitv.ie)

Referee Team
Referee Alan Patchell  
1st Assistant Referee: Emmet Dynan 
2nd Assistant Referee: Keenan Deering
4th Official: John Sconnie Walsh

Date: Friday 3rd May 2024
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Venue: Ferrycarrig Park

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this much-anticipated match.

Athlone Town have really started to enjoy playing in Athlone Town Stadium but it’s the away form that have let us down this season. With four wins in their last five they are really looking to push on in chasing the playoffs for the second time in two seasons.

The town sit in sixth place on eighteen points.

Wexford have only lost one of their last eight games and won three of their last five. In their last home game, they suffered defeat so will be looking to make amends.

Wexford sit fourth also on eighteen points.

Dario Castelo stated, “We are training well, and we home the hard work continues. It is a long season, so we are taking each game as it comes. We have three games over the next eight days so it’s important to manage the squad as we have a few players carrying an injury.”

Team News

Athlone Town AFC have a couple of injury concerns, with Oisin Duffy and Aaron Connolly still struggling with injury. German Funtes is fit to play but Noah Van Geenen, who returned to training this week, is still a few weeks away from returning to play. Dylan Hand returns from suspension but Jarlath Jones is sidelined having picked up his 5^th yellow card of the campaign.

Past Encounters

Athlone Town and Cobh played each other four times last season in a what were closely contested encounters. Cobh got the upper hand in the end with Athlone winning the first and Cobh winning the last two games. Both teams exited the playoffs at the first hurdle last season and will have ambitions to go further this season. Their first game this season finished 3-3.

Key Players to Watch

For Athlone Town AFC, Dean Ebbe is making waves on his return to League of Ireland football this season, having scored five goals already, including a standout double against Cobh. His sharp instincts and ability to deliver under pressure is why he continues to impress.

Wexford this website picked out Mikie Rowe last time we played Wexford as one to watch and since that he has scored six goals. With two goals against our neighbours last weekend, he is a big danger for us tonight.

Match Tickets
Wexford FC vs Athlone Town, 3rd May 2024 Match Tickets

Referee Team
Referee Lucas Keating  
1st Assistant Referee: Conor Fitzgibbon 
2nd Assistant Referee: Simon Drislane   
4th Official: Alan Franklin

Ebbe’s Edge: Securing Victory with Two Dean Ebbe Goals
 

Athlone were victorious in Athlone Town Stadium on the 26^th of April 2024 winning 2-1 against Cobh Ramblers.

In fairness to Cobh, they were probably the better team in the opening exchanges but it was a poor start to the game. The first real chance of the game went the way of the visitors after 10 minutes when Charlie O Brien’s shot went wide of the post.

Athlone were dangerous with a long throw and had a chance of their own moments later but Dean Ebbe’s header was wide of the Cobh goal.

In what was a dull first half Athlone were beginning to press Cobh high up the pitch and were rewarded for that in the 41^st minute when Dean Ebbe capitalised on Justin Eqauibor delaying on the ball and nicked it to find himself one on one with the goalkeeper. He rounded the keeper and took his time slotting the ball past two defenders on the line to put Athlone 1-0 up.

Athlone had a chance to double the lead just before half time but Carl Mujaguzi fired over the bar and the was the last action of the half.

The second half was a lot better than first with both teams attacking well. Athlone were lucky not to find Cobh level right after the restart when from a long throw they smashed the crossbar.

Athlone doubled the lead after 56 minutes with a brilliantly worked move. From an Enda Minogue goal kick eight passes later, they found the net. It was an excellent move that Dairo had obviously been working on. Going down the right hand side saw possession switched to Torre who had time and space and played a one two with Jamar and then crossed to Ebbe who got to the front post leaving Darragh Burke with no chance to double Athlone’s lead to 2-0.

The long throw from Cobh was causing lots of problems for the Athlone defence and in the 67^th minute a throw in from Cian Browne on the right hand side wasn’t cleared far enough by Athlone and it was recycled by Cobh back to Browne who was on the right wing and his cross was controlled superbly by Brendan Frahill who fired the ball home from just inside the 18 yard box, it was a wonderful goal and Cobh were back in the game.

It was all Cobh for the last few minutes and only for two brilliant saves from Enda Minogue it could have been a share of the points but Athlone held out and claimed the victory.

Following match day twelve this result sees Athlone staying sixth and Cobh stay seventh in the table.

Athlone Town AFC: Enda Minogue, German Fuentes Rodriguez, Jarlath Jones, Daniel McKenna ©, Ruben Candal (Gideon Tetteh 64’), Dean Ebbe (Jamal Ibrahim 82’), Jamar Campion-Hinds (Shane Forbes 71’), Carl Mujaguzi (Aaron Connolly 82’), Amardo Akeem Oakley, Brian Torre, Matthew Leal

Unused Substitutes: Andrew Stuart Trainor, Oisin Duffy, Divine Izekor, Brendan Lauder, Ciaran Nolan

Bookings: Candal (45), Tetteh (69’), Jones (94)

Attendance: 508

AthloneTownAFC.ie Man of The Match: Dean Ebbe

SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division

Date: Friday 26th April 2024
Kick-off: 19:45
Venue: Athlone Town Stadium

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this much-anticipated match.

Athlone Town will be looking to build on last weekend’s win over Kerry.

Carl Mujaguzi scored a wonderful goal in Kerry and will be looking to build on that performance.

The town sit in sixth place on fifteen points.

Cobh won against Finn Harps last weekend and they are five points off the playoffs.
Dario Castelo stated, “It was great to get the win and get back in the mix for the playoffs. For us the hard work continues.”

Team News
Athlone Town AFC have a couple of injury concerns, with Oisin Duffy, Aaron Connolly and German Funtes missed training this week. Ruben Candal is ruled out following an accident midweek. Dylan Hand is serving the last game of his suspension

Past Encounters
Athlone Town and Cobh played each other four times last season in a what were closely contested encounters.

Cobh got the upper hand in the end with Athlone winning the first and Cobh winning the last two games.

Both teams exited the playoffs at the first hurdle last season and will have ambitions to go further this season. Their first game this season finished 3-3.

Key Players to Watch
For Athlone Town AFC, Daniel McKenna covered every blade of grass last week and was playing out of position. His distribution gets Athlone on the move quickly and we hope to see more of the same this weekend.

Cobh Ramblers will be delighted to have seen Matthew McKevitt get on the score sheet last week.

Ramblers won against Finn Harps last weekend and will be hoping that they can build on their strong performance last weekend.

Referee Team
Referee: Daryl Carolan
First Assistant Referee: Richard Storey
Second Assistant Referee: Philip Harrison
Fourth Official: Damien Mc Grath

Match Programme

Athlone come from behind to beat Kerry
 

Kerry started the brighter of the two teams and had the ball in the back of the net after 3 minutes when McCarthy played the ball over the top to Kennedy Amechi who chipped the ball over the on rushing Enda Minogue who had heard the whistle for the offside stopping his run.

The Kerrymen did find the front after twenty minutes following a very harsh penalty call. The ball bounced up off the ground hitting Aaron Connolly on the hand from an attempted Athlone clearance. Amechi made no mistake from the stop going low to the keepers right putting Kerry 1-0 up.

Kerry should have made it two moments later when Ryan Kelliher made a great run into the box, beat two Athlone players and rounded Minogue but hit the ball into the side netting.

Athlone probably thought they should have a penalty of their own when Torre was taken down in the area in the 37^th minute but Athlone always find themselves on the wrong end of these decisions.

Athlone were starting to play and putting pressure on the Kerry defence and created a couple of chances. Athlone weren’t able to test the Kerry defence in any significant way.

Athlone drew level in the 43^rd minute, an Oisin Duffy cross from the right-hand side just near the edge of the box wasn’t dealt with by Samuel Aladesanusi and Ruben Candal slotted it home from 10 yards getting his first goal for the club and we went into the break at 1-1.

Kerry could have had a wonderful start to the second half when from a corner Andy Spain headed back across goal and McCarthy was unmarked but couldn’t find the target with his header.

Things looked like they went from bad to worse for Athlone when Oisin Duffy pulled up while chasing a ball, he tried to stay going but he was able to continue and was withdrawn.

Athlone had a great chance to take the lead in the 57^th minute when from a Torre ball in from the right Dean Ebbe climbed highest and his header was cleared off the line by Kevin Williams. It was a great chance to take the lead. It looked like at this point the next goal would win the game.

What happened next, we won’t be able to do justice but Carl Mujaguzi scored a goal of the season contender. Athlone were getting some joy with a long throw from Jamar on the right-hand side. Jamar’s long throw was cleared but only as far as Mujaguzi who with an acrobatic effort found the top left hand corner and put the Town 2-1 up. What a hit if you didn’t see it you need to.

It was really the walking wounded for the away side, when Connolly, who took the captains armband from the injured Duffy was forced off himself with an injury.

Dean Ebbe inspired by Mujaguzi’s goal tried a spectacular effort himself on 77 minutes but it didn’t come off. They had another great chance shortly afterwards when Mujaguzi and Ebbe linked well with a one two and Mujaguzi struck the post from the shot from 18 yards.

It was a real tight affair for the last few minutes and the few substitutes trying to manage to see the game out and Tetteh could have wrapped up the game in the 95^th minute when he found himself in on goal but he pulled his shot wide.

Athlone held on for an important win on the road and very happy with the three points on the road which were hard come by this season. It has come at a cost thought with Jones now suspended for next week, and both Duffy and Connolly an injury concern.

Following match day eleven this result sees Athlone staying sixth and drops Kerry to ninth in the table.

Athlone Town AFC: Enda Minogue, Jarlath Jones, Daniel McKenna, Ruben Candal (Gideon Tetteh 89’), Aaron Connolly (Shane Forbes 72’), Dean Ebbe, Jamar Campion-Hinds (Roscoe Rubinstein 89’), Carl Mujaguzi, Oisin Duffy (C) (Amardo Oakley 53’), Brian Torre, Matthew Leal

Unused Substitutes: Andrew Stuart Trainor, Shaun O’Donnell, Divine Izekor, Brendan Lauder, Ciaran Nolan

Bookings: Jones (80′)

Attendance: 742

AthloneTownAFC.ie Man of The Match: Carl Mujaguzi