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
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 37th 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 43rd 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 57th 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 95th 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
SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division: Kerry FC vs Athlone Town AFC
Date: April 19th, 2024
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Venue: Mounthawk Park, Kerry
Kerry FC lost their first three games of the season and have taken 9 points from the next 6 games winning last time out against a team from the Midlands in Mounthawk Park. They have conceded in each game this season in Kerry except against sides from the Midlands. Athlone have found going away from home this season very difficult and failed to score in 4 of the 5 away games this campaign.
So, after that positive outlook here’s everything you need to know ahead of this much-anticipated match.
Kerry are on a role and picked up their second victory in Senior football since they entered they league last time out in Kerry, their first victory coming against Athlone last season.
Athlone have found it difficult on the road but will need to be attacking against Kerry.
Dario Castelo stated, “For us the hard work continues. We take every game serious and its important to try get a win against a good Kerry team.”
Team News
Athlone Town AFC Noah Van Geenen is sidelined with injuries and Dylan Hand is suspended.
Past Encounters
In the 5 games between the clubs there has been 3 wins for Athlone, 1 win for Kerry and a draw in Athlone earlier in the season.
Key Players to Watch
Athlone Town AFC, Dean Ebbe has been enjoyed a great start to his return season with Athlone. He will hope to continue his good form and help Athlone return to winning ways.
Kerry FC forward Victor Udeze has been excellent since moving to the Kingdom and Athlone Town defence will have their hands full the quick striker.
Match Tickets Tickets for the game can be purchased by clicking here.
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.
Athlone have only lost two of the last ten league games at home and are undefeated in the five home games so far in 2024. They have taken ten of their twelve points in Athlone Town Stadium this season. In a night that saw the main stand in the stadium named after Club President Liam Gaffey, the team rewarded Liam with three points and a good display.
Harps had won every game on the road until now and inflicted the first defeat of the season for Athlone in the first round of fixtures. Athlone have been a mixed bag up to this point but had started to find form at home, so it was set to be an interesting tie.
Athlone started the brighter of the two teams and the first real chance of the game came after six minutes and fell to the home side who after a really nice passage of play that saw them break down the right wing. They then strung a couple of passes together and moved the ball out to Brian Torre on the left wing who found Carl Mujaguzi unmarked in the area, about eight yards out and his left footed volley was just over the bar.
It was an even contest up to this point and in the 10th minute from a throw in to Finn Harps just inside the Athlone half of the field caught the Athlone defenders napping and Success Edogun held up the ball well and managed to turn defender German Fuentes where his shot found the side netting.
In the 18th minute Harps forward Chris Lotefa found himself with a bit of space and was fouled by Dan McKenna in the middle of the pitch about thirty yards from goal, and the resulting free kick from Tony McNamee never really troubled goalkeeper Enda Minogue who was making his 50th appearance in League of Ireland football.
In the 24th minute McKenna intercepted a poor touch from Harps midfielder McNamee and set his team on the attack, Mujaguzi moved the ball left and found Candal with time and space who crossed to the back post to Amardo Oakley who’s super pass gave Dean Ebbe the simplest of finishes, heading home from inside the six-yard box and putting The Town 1-0 up.
Athlone were limiting the visitors to shots from distance, none of which gave Enda Minogue too much to worry about. In the 42nd minute Athlone thought they had gone two in front when Aaron Connolly’s pass found McKenna whose quick feet managed to get free at the edge of the area, and his side footed effort towards the top right hand corner narrowly missed the post, sending the teams in at the break with the home side leading 1-0.
Harps started the second half brightly and could have gone level straight away when from a well worked through down their left had side a cross found the head of Edogun who’s shot was on target and pulled a wonderful save out of Minogue in the Athlone goal.
The visitors found it difficult to break down the Athlone defence and chances were few and far between for Finn Harps. They had a great chance in the 59th minute when a sloppy pass from McKenna allowed Harps to press and a slip from Fuentes allowed Edogun in one on one with Minogue and his shot was saved again by Minogue who was determined to hold onto his clean sheet.
Athlone could have finally added a second in the 72nd minute when from a mazey run from substitute Jamar Campion Hinds saw him pull the ball back to Ebbe who on the stretch poked the ball towards goal forcing a point blank save from Tim Hiemer in goal.
Athlone had defended well and in the closing minutes of the game. Finn Harps had a shout for a penalty when their left winger came into the box onto a miss placed header from Fuentes and went to ground in the box looking for the penalty but the referee was confident in waving away any protests from the Harps players.
Athlone held on to the clean sheet and took all three points winning the game 1-0.
Following matchday ten this result moves Athlone to sixth and Harps stay second in the table.
Next up for Athlone is the trip to Mounthawk Park to face Kerry FC.
Athlone Town AFC: Enda Minogue, German Fuentes Rodriguez, Jarlath Jones, Daniel McKenna, Ruben Candal (Gideon Tetteh 75′), Aaron Connolly, Dean Ebbe (Shane Forbes 92′), Carl Mujaguzi (Divine Izekor 92′), Amardo Oakley, Oisin Duffy (C), Brian Torre (Jamar Campion-Hinds 61)’.
Unused Substitutes: Andrew Stuart Trainor, Renei Batloka, Matthew Leal, Roscoe Rubinstein, Brendan Lauder
Bookings: Jones (37′), Torre (53′), Duffy (68′), Rodriguez (94′)
SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division: Athlone Town AFC v Finn Harps
Date: Friday, April 12th 2024 Kick-off: 7:45pm Venue: Athlone Town Stadium
Finn Harps have started the league campaign the better of the two teams and with the kick-off scheduled for 7.45pm, both teams are looking to start the second round of games well.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this much-anticipated match.
Finn Harps sit second in the league. They will be looking to keep pressure on Cork City and maintain their 100% away record this season.
Harps have only conceded two goals in their last five games and taken points from all five.
Athlone have had some difficulties in facing Finn Harps in recent years and they will be looking to reverse their fortunes and propel themselves up the table with a victory against the high-flying Harps.
Having conceded ten goals in the last five games, issues at centre back couldn’t have come at a worse time.
Team News Athlone Town AFC will be without Noah Van Geenen who is still sidelined with an injury. Dylan Hand is suspended for the first game of his three match ban.
Finn Harps have Kevin Jordan and Max Hutchison ruled out to injury and both Stephen Doherty and Tim Hiemer may miss out also.
Past Encounters Last time out Finn Harps beat Athlone 2-0 and were worthy winners thanks to goals from Stephen Doherty and Success Edogun.
Key Players to Watch For Athlone Town AFC, Enda Minogue has been an important player for Athlone and his experience would allow you overlook the fact that he is still only 22 years old. Tomorrow will mark his 55th senior appearance in football and he is looking to add to his clean sheet from the last home game against Treaty United.
Finn Harps forward Success Edogun who is well known to Athlone Town fans has developed really well since he left Athlone and will be hoping to his three goals this season.
Referee Team Referee: Jason Moore First Assistant Referee: Ciaran O’Reilly Second Assistant Referee: David Connolly Fourth Official: Ryan Maher
Mascots Today’s mascots are identical twins and great-grandsons of club President Liam Gaffey, George and Thomas Powell (both aged 7) from Norwich, UK.
Bray Wanderers 3-0 Athlone Town AFC Friday 5th April 2024
Athlone Hand Bray Three Points
It Athlone who started the brighter of the two teams and the Seagulls did not have to wait too long to take the lead and it came after a crazy few minutes for the Town.
In the 32nd minute of the game, centre back Dylan Hand was dismissed for an apparent kick out at Grogan and referee Chris Sheehan showed the red card to Hand. From the resulting free-kick Griffin beat Enda Minogue at his near post to find the back of the net for the hosts.
Just four minutes later, Athlone could have been level when Ebbe lifted the ball over the bar from a long ball. Bray doubled their advantage when Murphy tapped in from close range after Grogan’s acrobatic effort cannoned off the post following Knight’s cross.
Knight played a wonderful pass in behind the Athlone backline who tried to play an offside trap, and Grogan was on hand to slot into the net.
Bray nearly added a fourth with just under 15 minutes left only for captain Oisin Duffy with a goal saving block on the line.
Goalkeeper Minogue was withdrawn due to injury moments before injury time.
Following match day nine this result drops Athlone to seventh and Bray rise to sixth place.
Athlone Town AFC: Enda Minogue (Andrew Trainor 89), Oisin Duffy (Roscoe Rubenstein 89), Dylan Hand, Jarlath Jones, Matthew Leal (Armado Oakley 46), Brian Torre, Aaron Connolly (Gideon Tetteh 77), Daniel McKenna, Carl Mujaguzi, Dean Ebbe, Jamal Ibrahim (Jamar Campion-Hinds 59)
SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division: Bray Wanderers vs Athlone Town AFC
Date: April 5th, 2024
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Venue: Carlisle Grounds
Athlone have been a real mixed bag this season having started so well in the first game of the season then having to wait until Monday to add to their only win of the season. Athlone who played a great game in Cork and were disappointed not to come away with at least a point also played well on Monday against Treaty United.
This will be Bray’s fifth match in fifteen days, and they have a bit of an injury crisis on their hands so they will be looking get back to winning ways on Friday.
Both teams will have something to prove and with only three points between the two clubs its all to play for on Friday night in the Carlisle Grounds.
Dario Castelo spoke to staff at AthloneTownAFC.ie, “There have been a lot of games in the last two weeks, and we were very happy to get back to winning ways on Monday. It’s important we continue with this momentum and continue to play well for the fans.”
Team News
Athlone Town AFC Noah Van Geenen is ruled out with injury.
Bray Wanderers Max Murphy is suspended, Calum Thompson, Jimmy Corcoran, Darren Craven, Cristian Magerusan and Ben Feeney are all injured.
Past Encounters
In researching this fixture, we went back to October 1997 and in that time Athlone and Bray have played 34 times in that time. Bray have come out on top 20 times there have been 8 draws with Athlone winning 6. Only twice has this fixture ended scoreless in the last 26 years so we are guaranteed a difficult game and goals. The last time we visited Bray we came away with a point having rescued a draw in the 92nd minute scoring from a corner to make it 2-2.
Key Players to Watch
Athlone Town AFC Jamar Campion-Hinds has returned from a long-term layoff and looked really bright on his return. It may be too soon for him to start but he is one to watch.
Bray Wanderers Kilian Cantwell was linked to return to his former club Athlone in the offseason, but the Kilkenny man has enjoyed his time with the seasiders since signing for them, a real leader on and off the pitch he will certainly be a handful for the Athlone forwards to deal with.
Match Tickets Tickets for the game can be purchased by clicking here.
Live Coverage:
The game will be streamed live on LOITV. 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.
Referee Team Referee: Chris Sheehan 1st Assistant Referee: Ricky Crean 2nd Assistant Referee: Trevor Cotter 4th Official: Robert Dowling
Athlone Town fans travelling to tomorrow’s game against Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds are advised to their get tickets online so they don’t have to queue at the ticket office. Tickets can be purchased here.
The away end is directly in front of the turnstiles. Bray Wanderers have no issues with people going over to the sheltered stand if the weather takes a turn for the worse.
There’s plenty of parking spaces on the streets around the ground. The Bray seafront also has plenty of carparking spaces and there should be no issues with finding a spot.
There’s a small shop in the ground which will have tea, sweets, koka noodles as well as a burrito bar for those looking for some hot food with chips served also. There are some restaurants located on the Bray seafront which is just a stones throw away from the stadium.
There is a no bag policy enforced at the Carlisle Grounds, anyone that brings bags with them will be asked to leave them in the shop beside the turnstiles where they can be collected after the game. Random security searches will take place upon entry to the stadium.
Should any issues arise from your experience at the game or if you have any queries on travelling arrangements, you can contact the Club Support Liaision Officer, Adam Lee via email: slo@athlonetownafc.ie or on X: @ATAFCSLO
Athlone Town AFC 1-0 Treaty United FC Monday, April 1st 2024 – 17:00 Athlone Town Stadium
Athlone Return to Winning Ways
Athlone returned to winning ways against Treaty United in Athlone Town Stadium. A changed kick off time of 5pm so a smaller crowd at the game on the Easter Bank Holiday Monday.
Athlone last time out played well in Cork and were disappointed not to get a point but were determined today to make sure they got something out of the game. Athlone started brightly and put the Limerick side on the back foot from the kick-off. Athlone unleashed attack after attack but had to wait until the 13th minute for the first real chance of any significance. A direct ball from right back Oisin Duffy was won by Dean Ebbe who had drifted between the two centre backs he laid the ball off to Jamal Ibrahim who’s shot from distance was never troubling the Treaty goalkeeper.
Athlone didn’t have to wait long for their next chance when a one two between Carl Mujaguzi and Ebbe allowed Athlone to attack the Treaty goal but it was cleared by Alec Byrne. His clearance was headed back towards goal by the excellent Dylan Hand and it found Ebbe, who timed his run well but Evan O’Connor for Treaty recovered well allowing Michael Dike to make the save.
Athlone were getting a lot of joy from Oisin Duffy’s passing and in the 17th minute. He floated a lovely ball in behind the Treaty defence, finding Aaron Connolly with time and space to smash the ball past Dike. Connolly had timed his run brilliantly and was allowed to get one on one with Dike and made no mistake finding the bottom corner to put Athlone one goal to the good.
Two minutes later Connolly had a chance to get his and Athlone’s second of the evening when he showed great feet to get some space to fire a shot from distance, but it wasn’t to be and it was nowhere near the target.
Treaty were determined not to let Athlone dictate this fixture and in the 25th minute a great bit of work in the middle of the pitch by Yousef Mahdy set Willie Armshaw away who managed to beat German Fuentes, but Enda Minogue was out quick to smother the ball. Moments later Armshaw put in a wonderful cross and found Byrne unmarked about 10 yards from goal whose header was on target and Minogue made a brilliant save downlow to his left to somehow keep the score at 1-0 to Athlone. From the resulting corner Treaty found the Athlone defence sleeping and a set piece from the training ground was well worked and Mahdy will be disappointed he didn’t test the Athlone goalkeeper.
Treaty were in a spell of dominating the game and just before the half hour mark, Mahdy found himself with another good chance and his shot was wide but had Minogue worried for a moment.
Both teams had created a few chances before the end of the half but the best of them fell to Ibrahim who broke behind the Treaty back line and had got his shot away, but it was over the bar. The ref pointed for a goal kick much to the protests of Ibrahim who was adamant that it took a deflection. The replay showed he was correct it was a great bit of defending by Ben O’Riordan who got the last touch on the ball.
Not to be outdone Treaty captain Mark Walsh controlled a corner with his back to goal hit the ball over his head and narrowly missed the top corner. Athlone went into the break leading 1-0.
The second half was similar to the first and both teams were creating chances. Treaty had a great chance to draw level when in the 56th minute from an Armshaw freekick he found Lynch at the back post who couldn’t direct his header on target from a tight angle.
A Treaty corner in the 60th minute caused real trouble for the Athlone defence when Minogue came out to claim the cross had the ball knocked from his hands by his own teammate and Byrne hit a low driven cross which was turned over his own bar by Hand to keep the score 1-0.
Athlone got a but fortuitus in the 75th minute when a long Fuentes ball was chased by Connolly, when Treaty defender O’Riordan slipped, and Connolly tried to drill the ball across the face of the goal to Mujaguzi at the back post but Dike saved magnificently with his foot to keep Athlone at bay.
As the clock wound down Lynch was having some joy with his long throws causing problems for the Athlone defence, but a long clearance in the 86th minute from Duffy gave the substitute Jamar Campion-Hinds something to chase and Dike came well outside his box to win the header but only to find Ruben Candal whose effort from the halfway line narrowly missed the target.
Treaty would throw everything the had at Athlone and in the 90th minute Minogue made a remarkable save when Lynch tried to find substitute Leon Kirrane but the Athlone keeper dived bravely at the attackers feet to stop the attack.
Just when Athlone fans started to look to the referee for the final whistle Treaty started to turn the screw. In the 94th minute from a Lynch long throw from the right, Brian Torre cleared the ball but only as far as O’Riordan who worked it back towards goal and the chance finally fell to Fionn Doherty but it went past the post by inches. Athlone were managing to hold onto the narrow lead but barely.
There was one more throw of the dice from Treaty in the 95th minute this time it was a Lynch long throw from the left. It bounced over everyone and made its way to Enda Curran who dispatched his shot, it was blocked by Jones and deflected onto the arm of Oakley. Treaty players were incensed that they didn’t get the penalty but Athlone were relieved and managed to clear the ball to hang on for the win and a much needed three points
Following match day eight this result lifts Athlone to fifth and Treaty stay fourth in the table.
Athlone Town AFC: Enda Minogue, German Fuentes Rodriguez, Jarlath Jones, Daniel McKenna, Dylan Hand, Aaron Connolly, Dean Ebbe (Amardo Oakley 64’), Carl Mujaguzi (Brian Torre 79’), Oisin Duffy (C), Jamal Ibrahim (Jamar Campion-Hinds 79’), Matthew Leal (Ruben Candal 54’)
Unused Substitutes: Andrew Stuart Trainor, Dylan Gavin, Divine Izekor, Roscoe Rubinstein, Gideon Tetteh
SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division: Athlone Town AFC vs Treaty United Date: Monday, April 1st, 2024 Kick-off: 5pm Venue: Athlone Town Stadium
Last time out in Athlone Town Stadium having trailed 3-0 at half time to Longford, Athlone showed fight and determination to come back and clinch a draw in El Clasico. With a long trip to Cork on Friday, Athlone played well in Turner’s Cross, however were narrowly defeated 1-0 by league leaders Cork City. Athlone started the season well against Wexford but failed to hit the heights of that opening game since.
Dario Castelo stated, “It’s a quick turnaround for our players having travelled to Cork Friday. We showed improvement in the last two weeks, and we hope that we can continue that this Monday and have it reflected on the scoresheet”.
Team News
Athlone Town AFC Jamar Campion Hinds is still sidelined, and Noah Van Geenen is ruled out also. Amardo Oakley returns from suspension.
Treaty United Lee Devitt will serve the final game of his red card suspension.
Past Encounters
Athlone have never really enjoyed playing Treaty having only every beaten them once. They have played a total of 11 times with Treaty winning 7 of those.
Key Players to Watch
Athlone Town AFC, Jarleth Jones has been solid on his return to the club and has looked really exciting so far this season.
Treaty United, nothing is surer that Enda Curran loves to score against his former club Athlone. The Galway native has netted three goals in his last two appearances in Athlone Town Stadium for Treaty.
Match Tickets Tickets for the game can be purchased by clicking here. Adults: €15
Concessions: €10
Children: €5
Live Coverage:
The game will be streamed live on LOITV. 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.
Referee Team Referee: Mark Houlihan 1st Assistant Referee: Thomas Joyce 2nd Assistant Referee: Paudie Hayes 4th Official: Marc Lynch
