Athlone Win Against League Leaders

High Flying Cork City were the visitors on the 31^st of May 2024 where Athlone were victorious in a 1-0 win in Athlone Town Stadium.

Dario made two changes following his side’s 2–2 draw at home to UCD last Friday, with Jamar Campion-Hinds replacing Oisin Duffy, and Matthew Leal replace the suspended Daniel McKenna. Dario plans changed as Mathew was seen limping in during the warmup and this meant Noah Van Geenen returned to the starting lineup for the first time in a number of weeks following a long spell out with injury.

Both teams started well with nice passages of possession, but it was Cork who had the first real chance of the game in the 8^th minute. A nice bit of play down the right-hand side saw Nevin get a cross in it was laid off to Brookwell to get the strike away and it was almost turned in by Jack Doherty.

Aaron Connolly picked up a yellow Card in the 12^th minute of the game which rules him out of Monday’s trip to Finn Harps.

In the 18^th minute the ball was bouncing around from team to team in the centre of the pitch. Dean Ebbe won a header just inside the Cork City half and found Carl Mujaguzi who hits it into space on the right hand side giving Jamar something to chase and a chance to run at the Cork Defence. Jamar took on McLaughlin and his cross come shot went in over the Keeper’s head at the back post putting Athlone 1-0 up.

Cork had the ball in the back of the net themselves in the 30^th minute. A well worked freekick from the visitors saw a ball whipped in left footed to the head of Charlie Lyons who headed it past Enda Minogue in the Athlone goal but it was ruled out as the offside flag went up.

The visitors had a great chance to draw level in the 38^th minute when Jack Doherty won a header from a long clearance. It broke to Coffey, who found Cian Murphy on the right wing who took on Dylan Hand and managed to get his cross into Doherty, but he couldn’t find the back of the net. It was a great chance and Doherty will feel he probably could have drawn his side level.

The sides entered the break with the hosts 1–0 to the good, with Athlone playing all the football in the first half.

The second half City were stepping on and pressing Athlone trying to get back into the game. There was one change at half time as Oisin Duffy replaced Carl Mujaguzi.

In the 52nd minute, Barry Coffey picked out Cian Murphy with an accurate cross into the box from the right-hand side, but the striker’s glancing header was straight at Enda who saved easily.

A lovely move by Athlone moments after resulted in a strong appeal for a penalty but the referee waved play on. A long ball forward by Jack Doherty was intercepted by Oakley, who looked to go to the front himself and his ball was won by Charlie Lyons who looked to step into midfield. He was closed quicky by Dean Ebbe who managed to win possession back for his side with the ball breaking to Oakley and Athlone passed the ball well from Duffy to Connolly, to Tetteh who played in Duffy behind and a coming together between him and City’s Evan McLaughlin had the home fans on their feet looking for a penalty, but it was not to be.

Cork were reduced to ten men for the last twenty minutes when Evan McLaughlin was shown a second yellow card after he appeared to strike Oisin Duffy as he tried to collect the ball from the Athlone captain.

Cork thought they had drawn level in the 71^st minute when Charlie Lyons chipped the ball over the out-rushing Enda Minogue but somehow Brian Torre cleared the ball off the line and kept the hosts 1-0 up. A great bit of defending by Torre.

Athlone were really showing the advantage of the extra player for the last few minutes of the game. The Cork goalkeeper Wade made some very impressive saves to keep his side in the game, but Athlone finished the stronger of the two teams and held on to win the game 1-0.

Following match day seventeen sees Athlone stay third on thirty points and Cork stay way out on front with thirty-nine points.

Unfortunately for Athlone, Aaron Connolly picked up a yellow card to rule him out of the Harps game.

Athlone Town AFC: Enda Minogue, German Fuentes Rodriguez, Noah Van Geenen, Dylan Hand, Aaron Connolly ©, Dean Ebbe, Jamar Campion-Hinds (Shane Forbes 95’), Carl Mujaguzi (Oisin, Duffy 46’), Amardo Oakley, Brian Torre (Jarlath Jones 92’), Gideon Tetteh (Ruben Candal 93’)

Unused Substitutes: Shaun O Donnell, Gabriel Padilla, Divine Izekor, Roscoe Rubinstein, (Matthew Leal injured in the warmup)

Bookings: Connolly (13), Van Geenen (64), Ebbe (70), Duffy (71), Oakley (97)

Attendance: 852

AthloneTownAFC.ie Man of The Match: Brian Torre

Date: 31^st of May 2024
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Venue: Athlone Town Stadium

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

Both teams come into this game having won two of their last five fixtures. Athlone’s last defeat came at the hands of Bray Wanderers, but two draws from winning positions in the last two games has Athlone fans worrying. 

Athlone Town are the in-form team behind Cork and they sit in third place on twenty-seven points. Cork won the last time we played (Click Here To Read About It) but it was the start of a turnaround in form for Athlone. Athlone are twelve points behind Cork and this is the last game in the second round of fixtures, so a win would put us in a good position at the half way point.

Coming into the game, AthloneTownAFC.ie spoke to manager Dario Castelo and he gave his thoughts on the fixture.

“We played a great side in UCD and now we play another good team in Cork. We started well but it was a difficult game, this week we know if we play how we can, we can create problems for any team.”

Team News

Athlone Town AFC have a couple of injury concerns, Enda Minogue picked up a knock during the game last week and a missed training so is a doubt. Noah Van Geenen is being eased back to play and Dan McKenna is suspended.

Past Encounters
Athlone and Cork have only played 19 times since 2010 and on paper it doesn’t look good from an Athlone perspective.  Athlone have only won three of those 19 games and conceded 50 goals, so it is a tough task for the home side. On a positive note, we were unlucky not to get a point in Turners Cross earlier in the season and beat them the last time we played in Athlone Town Stadium, albeit Cork had already won the league at that point.

Key Players to Watch

For Athlone Town AFC, Brian Torre has been getting better every week, he is good on the ball going forward and his positioning is top class. Its only a matter of time before he gets his first goal for the club.

Cork City Jack Doherty is on the return from injury and he has five goals already this season is a midfielder that can hurt the home side if allowed time on the ball.

Match Tickets
Tickets for the game can be purchased by clicking here.
Adults €15 Concessions €10 Children €5

Follow the Athlone Town AFC channel on WhatsApp: Click Here for The WhatsApp Channel

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 TOWN V CORK CITY (loitv.ie)

Referee Team
Referee: Eoghan O Shea   
1st Assistant Referee: Niall McLoughlin 
2nd Assistant Referee: Christopher Daly
4th Official: Marc Lynch

Athlone Extend Unbeaten Home Run with Draw

UCD were the visitors on the 24^th of May 2024 playing out a 2-2 draw in Athlone Town Stadium.

Dario named an unchanged side from the team that drew with Longford. Ruban Candal returned to the bench having missed out last week due to injury.

Athlone started brightly and we didn’t have to wait long for the first goal, Athlone were playing out from the back and Oisin Duffy found Amardo Oakley on the right-hand side, he cut the ball back inside to Carl Mujaguzi. His short pass was into the feet of Dean Ebbe who was at the edge of the area. He played back to Mujaguzi who chipped it towards the far post finding Gideon Tetteh who made no mistake from a tight angle. The hosts were one nil up.

Brian Torre had Athlone hearts in their mouths in the 16^th minute when he got his head to a UCD cross, and it just missed the Athlone goal and went out for a corner but after the game Brian said to AthloneTownAFC.ie that he knew what he was doing.

Athlone lead was doubled in the 20^th minute when Torre played the ball down the line to Tetteh who, with a world class bit of skill, let the ball hit his foot and it skipped over Ronan Finn and into space for Tetteh to run onto he ran into the box and took his time and pulled a ball back to Aaron Connolly, his placed shot took a deflection but ended up in the back of the net. 2-0 to the hosts.

In the 25^th minute the Students got one back, Ronan Finn was in possession on the right-hand side, he played the ball inside to Behan who played the ball across to Jake Doyle. Doyle fashioned some space and got the shot away just inside the box, Enda Minogue made a brilliant save down to his right but to his horror his save fell to the feet of Michael McCullagh who reacted quicker than the Athlone defence and slotted home from 2 yards to pull the score back to 2-1.

From a corner shortly after the goal, a deep cross to the back post was won by Michael McCullagh who got his shot towards the goal but never really threatened.

UCD were really coming into the game and in the 27^th minute a Ciaran Behan effort from about 25 yards rattled the crossbar, a great effort from Behan. The students were really starting to show their quality.

Just before the break, Finn found Behan just inside the box and he crossed low after taking on Dylan Hand but it was intercepted by German and Athlone managed to clear the ball.

Athlone started the brighter of the two teams, but UCD grew into the game as it went on, but it was the hosts that lead at the break 2-1.

UCD weren’t in the mood to wait around for the second half they were out seven minutes before Athlone and the Referees. The second half started as the first half finished with UCD holding possession but the first real chance of the second half went to Athlone when the ball broke to the right-hand side. Amardo Oakley ran at the UCD defence, he went down the line and found his way to the end line but was marshalled out of play by Sean Brennan.

We had to wait for the 72^nd minute for UCD’s first real shot of the second half. They were enjoying a lot of possession but getting it hard to break down the Athlone defence. Sean Brennan played a brilliant ball forward behind the Athlone defence with two UCD players there. Both Paker and Raggett bearing down on goal, Raggett got the shot away and it clipped the outside post – a real let off for Athlone, but it was all UCD so far in the second half.

We didn’t have to wait long after that for UCD to equalise, in the 79^th minute. A Donal Higgins free kick just inside the Athlone half was floated to the back of the box. It was cleared by German but only as far as Michael McCullagh who clipped the ball to the back post, and it was headed home by Raggett who climbed higher than the Athlone defender.

Things boiled over in the 85^th minute when a UCD corner was caught by Enda Minogue but he was fouled by Eanna Clancy and the referee gave a free out. Clancy protested with Minogue and there was a bit of a shemozzle in the box and a couple of yellow cards later we got back under way.

Athlone finished the stronger of the two teams and had a chance to win the game in 93^rd minute Brian Torre done brilliantly on the left wing and got into the box. He stabbed at the ball but couldn’t direct his shot goalward. That was all and it was points shared 2-2.

Following match day seventeen sees Athlone stay third on twenty-seven points and UCD stay second on twenty-nine points.

Unfortunately for Athlone, Daniel McKenna picked up a 5^th yellow card to rule him out of the Cork Game. Athlone extend their unbeaten run to eight games and remain unbeaten at home this season.

Athlone Town AFC: Enda Minogue, German Fuentes Rodriguez, Daniel McKenna, Dylan Hand, Aaron Connolly, Dean Ebbe, Carl Mujaguzi (Matthew Leal 45’), Amardo Oakley (Jamar Campion-Hinds 77’), Oisin Duffy ©, Brian Torre, Gideon Tetteh (Ruben Candal 88’)

Unused Substitutes: Andrew Stuart Trainor, Jarlath Jones, Noah Van Geenen, Gabriel Padilla, Divine Izekor, Roscoe Rubinstein

Bookings: Connolly (68), McKenna (77), Roderiguez (87), Hand (87)

Attendance: 541

AthloneTownAFC.ie Man of The Match: Gideon Tetteh

Date: 24^th of May 2024
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Venue: Athlone Town Stadium

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

Both teams come into this game having won three of their last five fixtures. Athlone’s last defeat came at the hands of Bray Wanderers, but the draw in Longford left a sour taste after creating the better of the chances.

Athlone town are the in-form team behind Cork and they sit in third place on twenty-six points. UCD battered Athlone in the reverse fixture and come into the game just behind Athlone in the form table but ahead in the standings they sit second on twenty-eight points. While Cork City sit way out in front, this is a must win game for both teams.

Coming into the game, AthloneTownAFC.ie spoke to manager Dario Castelo and he gave his thoughts on the fixture.

“We are not happy after the last game. We created enough chances but didn’t kill the game off. We have a very important but difficult game this week. We must continue to work hard for each other and this special club.”

Team News

Athlone Town AFC have a couple of injury concerns, Ruben Candal sat out last week and is back in training. Noah Van Geenen is being eased back to play.

Past Encounters
UCD haven’t lost to Athlone since 2015 when Athlone beat them 2-1 having been relegated back to the first division. Philly Gorman scored a brace on the day that included a late winner in the 93rd minute.

Key Players to Watch

For Athlone Town AFC, Dan McKenna has been an integral part of this team, he brings out the best in players around him and enjoys breaking up play. He loves a tackle and has made over 55 appearances for the club.

UCD Ciaran Behan scored in the reverse fixture and he has six goals already this season which is an excellent return for young midfielder.

Match Tickets
Tickets for the game can be purchased by clicking here.
Adults €15 Concessions €10 Children €5

Follow the Athlone Town AFC channel on WhatsApp: Click Here for The WhatsApp Channel

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 TOWN V UCD (loitv.ie)

Referee Team
Referee: Daniel Murphy   
1st Assistant Referee: Emmett Dynan 
2nd Assistant Referee: Darren Corcoran
4th Official: Damien MacGraith

Athlone made the short trip to Longford on the 18th of May 2024 playing out a 1-1 draw against Longford.

Dario made three changes to the team that beat Bray with German Fuentes Rodriguez and Aaron Connolly returning after suspension, and Oisin Duffy who was struggling with injuries in recent weeks returning to captain the side.

Both teams started well and enjoyed spells of possession. Athlone created the first real chance of the game when in the 10th minute, Ross Fay was caught in possession by Gideon Tetteh who played a lovely pass to Dean Ebbe who had a bit of time and space and he turned well but his shot was always going over the bar.

Athlone had another shot shortly after when an Enda Minogue clearance was flicked on by Ebbe to Amardo Oakley who ran at goal but his shot was narrowly over.

Longford were next to test the Athlone Defence when from a Conor Crowley free kick out on the right-hand side his cross found the head of Francis Campbell who had a lot of work to do but couldn’t his shot on target, going narrowly past the post. It was a quiet enough first half and we went in at the break scoreless.

Longford started the second half as the brighter of the two teams, they enjoyed a spell of possession which saw Shane Elworthy run at the Athlone defence and his scooped pass over the defence found Jordan Adeyemo but his header was on target but lacked the power to threaten Enda Minogue’s goal.

In the 55th minute Athlone had a throw-in just inside the Longford half, Torre found Dylan Hand, who played it out wide to captain Oisin Duffy. His forward ball found Oakley who turned brilliantly, and made his way into the Longford Town box, he cut the ball back to Gideon Tetteh who’s placed shot wrong footed Jack Brady to put the visitors 1-0 up.

Brian Torre had a corner from the right in the 63rd minute. His cross wasn’t fully cleared by the Longford defence and Dylan Hand found Carl Mujaguzi, but his header was narrowly over. Fair play to the young Longford fan who was keeping Torre company and the crowd entertained with his antics.

It could have been two nil in the 68th minute when a poor clearance by Brady in the Longford goal was only as far as Mujaguzi who crossed deep to Aaron Connolly who headed back across goal to Ebbe who laid it off to Tetteh who shot low from 12 yards but Brady made up for his mistake with a wonderful save down low to his right to keep the score 1-0.
Oisin Hand somehow in the 88th minute stopped Jamal Ibrahim scoring when he headed the ball off the line, Athlone would come to regret not being able to finish these chances, as Longford went down the other end of the pitch and equalised.

Guilherme Rego Priosti chipped a ball to the left-hand side of the box and Dean O Shea headed the ball across the goal to Emmanuel James who made no mistake from 6 yards. It was a real hammer blow for Athlone who had done enough to take home the three points. It finished 1-1 and a point a piece for both teams.

Following match day fourteen sees Athlone stay third on twenty-six points and Longford stay ninth on eleven points.

Athlone Town AFC: Enda Minogue, German Fuentes Rodriguez, Daniel McKenna, Dylan Hand, Aaron Connolly, Dean Ebbe, Carl Mujaguzi (Matthew Leal 79’), Amardo Oakley (Jamar Campion-Hinds 67’), Oisin Duffy ©, Brian Torre (Jarlath Jones 92’), Gideon Tetteh (Jamal Ibrahim 79’)

Unused Substitutes: Andrew Stuart Trainor, Noah Van Geenen, Divine Izekor, Roscoe Rubinstein, Ciaran Nolan

Bookings: McKenna (91)

Attendance: 450

AthloneTownAFC.ie Man of The Match: Gideon Tetteh

Date: 18^th of May 2024
Kick-off: 7.30pm
Venue: Bishopsgate

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

‘El Classico’ seldom disappoints. Last time out, Athlone seemed to be dead and buried at half time and then somehow snatched a draw in the second half. Click here to read about the last game between the clubs.

Longford moved off the foot of the table with victory on Monday night against Treaty United. Athlone have been in good form recently but there away form is still not where they would like.

Coming into the game, AthloneTownAFC.ie spoke to manager Dario Castelo and he gave his thoughts on the fixture.

“We are taking each game as it comes. We know we are in a difficult game. Everyone worked well together to get the 3 points Friday and we need to keep untied to get a result.”

Team News

Athlone Town AFC have a couple of injury concerns, Noah Van Geenen is still ruled out. Oisin Duffy is still returning to play gradually, both German and Aaron Connolly return from suspension.

Past Encounters

El Classico seldom fails to entertain, from Pierrot announcing himself last year in style and then to his wonderful goal in Longford last year in added time to settle the tie. A draw earlier this year following a poor first half performance from Athlone. It is a difficult game to call a draw is likely too as the last two league games between these clubs they couldn’t be separated.

Key Players to Watch

For Athlone Town AFC, Dean Ebbe has fired his way to the top of the scoring charts this season and with five goals in his last four games we hope he can find the back of the net in Longford.

Longford Town Luke Wade-Slater brings a wealth of experience to their club, and he has played every minute of their last thirteen games. He is one of the permanent fixtures of the Longford Town team this season, having joined from Drogheda United in the transfer window.

Match Tickets
Ticket’s for the game can be purchased by clicking here.

Follow the Athlone Town AFC channel on WhatsApp: Click Here for The WhatsApp Channel

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.

LONGFORD TOWN V ATHLONE TOWN (loitv.ie)

Referee Team
Referee: Aaron O’Dowd   
1st Assistant Referee: Conor Harkin 
2nd Assistant Referee: Keenan Deering
4th Official: Michael Connolly

Athlone Town Stadium Is Becoming a Fortress    
Athlone secured victory on the 10^th of May 2024, playing out a 2-1 win against Bray.

Dario made two changes to his starting eleven, which saw Jarlath Jones and Matthew Leal come into the team with German Fuentes Rodriguez and Aaron Connolly missing out due to suspension.

Athlone started well and found the front right as 4 minutes click up on the clock. Athlone were looking dangerous and passing the ball well. Carl Mujaguzi laid the ball off to Jamar Campion-Hinds who clipped a ball over the top to Dean Ebbe. Deano timed his run to perfection to stay onside and headed it past the on rushing Stephen McGuinness to put the Town one nil to the good early on.

Bray had a chance to level the score in 12^th minute when a Kieran Cruise found Cristian Magerusan in the six-yard box, but he wasn’t able to turn his shot goalward.

Similar to the goal in the 4^th minute, Jamar Campion-Hinds clipped a ball over the top to Dean Ebbe who timed his run brilliantly again, but Stephen Mc Guinness was out quickly to claim the ball this time around.

Bray had their best chance of the opening half in the 26^th minute. Athlone were wise to a quick Bray throw and Harry Groome found time and space to pick out Shane Griffin just outside the box, his delayed pass found Magerusan whose footwork allowed him to find some space and he got the shot away, but Enda Minogue brilliantly saved down to his left to keep the score at 1-0. To this point it was a 50-50 game and both teams were creating opportunities, and this was the best one for the visitors up to this point and the teams went in at half time with the score at 1-0.

The second half started how the first half ended with both teams playing well and trying to get the next goal. In the 54^th minute, Athlone had a throw-in just inside the Bray half and it was worked well by Ebbe who found Oakley about 35 yards from goal, but his shot was deflected narrowly over the bar for the first corner of the second half. Torre took the resulting corner which was almost turned in by Ruben Candal, the ball was cleared by Bray, but only as far as Oakley who played the ball in behind for Ebbe, and in similar fashion he chipped McGuinness was out to try and claim the ball but the ball found the back of the net to put the Town 2-0 up.

Complacency started to set in for Athlone and almost cost them a goal. Enda Minogue dwelled on the ball in his box and that allowed Shane Griffin to close him down. Griffin nicked the ball from the Athlone goalkeeper and got the shot away, but Minogue recovered well to make a brilliant recovery save. Athlone didn’t learn from this and minutes later Ruben Candal was caught in possession and Magerusan blocked a pass which left him one on one with Minogue in the Athlone goal, but a brilliant recovery tackle by the ever dependable Dylan Hand saved the Athlone blushes on this occasion. However, it felt like a Bray goal was coming.

And it was in the 62^nd minute Bray did find the back of the net, missed tackles and complacency lead to a corner for Bray that wasn’t dealt with, and Paul Murphy made no mistake from 6 yards getting his team back in the game. From the restart, Bray were awarded a freekick and it was only cleared as far as Magerusan who curled a shot from just outside the eighteen-yard box hitting the crossbar. Athlone needed to get a grip of the game, or it could slip away.

Athlone started to play again and had a goal ruled out in the 69^th minute for offside. The assistant put the flag up despite it appeared that Mujaguzi was well onside, but the positive was Athlone were starting to run at the Bray defence again.

Athlone were awarded a penalty in the 74^th minute when the brilliant Mujaguzi ran into the box with Paul Murphy for company and Murphy had his two arms around him and pulled Mujaguzi to the ground. Dean Ebbe stepped up on a hattrick, but McGuinness had other ideas and saved brilliantly with his legs to keep Bray in the game. It would be an interesting last fifteen minutes.

A Bray corner in the 81^st minute was headed narrowly over by Freddie Turley Athlone were having to weather a storm to hold onto the three points.

As 95 minutes came up on the clock Bray won a corner which was surely the last action of the game. Stephen McGuinness came forward also there were twenty players in the box for the corner. It was cleared by Oisin Duffy and it fell to Guillermo Almirall who blasted the ball well over the bar and that was it, Athlone Town Stadium is not a place teams will like to visit.

Athlone held on to win 1-0 and pick up the three points.

Following match day fourteen this result sees Athlone move to third on twenty-five points and the Seagulls move down to fifth on twenty-one points.

Athlone Town AFC: Enda Minogue, Jarlath Jones, Daniel McKenna ©, Dylan Hand, Ruben Candal (Shane Forbes 73’), Dean Ebbe, Jamar Campion-Hinds (Jamal Ibrahim 54’), Carl Mujaguzi (Oisin Duffy 92’), Amardo Oakley, Brian Torre (65’) Matthew Leal

Unused Substitutes: Andrew Stuart Trainor, Gabriel Padilla, Divine Izekor, Gideon Tetteh, Roscoe Rubinstein, Ciaran Nolan

Bookings: Ibrahim (94)

Attendance: 558

AthloneTownAFC.ie Man of The Match: Dean Ebbe

Date: 10^th of May 2024
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Venue: Athlone Town Stadium

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

Both teams come into this game having won four of their last five fixtures. Athlone’s last defeat came at the hands of Bray Wanderers, so it is a chance to make amends for the earlier defeat. In what is the biggest game of the season so far it comes at the wrong time due to injuries and suspensions leaving the squad limited. Click here to read about the last game between the clubs.

Athlone town are the in-form team in the division and they sit in third place on twenty-two points. Bray come into the game just behind Athlone in the form table and the standings they sit fourth on twenty-one points. While Cork City sit way out in front, any points dropped by teams at the top could see them move down the table quickly.

Coming into the game AthloneTownAFC.ie spoke to manager Dario Castelo and he gave his thoughts on the fixture.

“We are come into this game after getting a very important result in a difficult game. Everyone worked well together, and it was possible to get the 3 points. Friday, we have another extremely difficult game where we know we must get a result to continue this momentum.”

Team News

Athlone Town AFC have a couple of injury concerns, Oisin Duffy is still returning to play gradually, and the exciting Ruben Candal is still struggling with injury. Noah Van Geenen is still ruled out. Suspensions are becoming a concern with both German and Aaron Connolly now missing the game.

Past Encounters

Going back to October 1997 and Athlone and Bray have 35 times in that time. Bray have come out on top 21 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 with potential for goals. The first game this season finished 3-0 to Bray, Athlone were not at the races on that occasion.

Key Players to Watch

For Athlone Town AFC, if you get a chance this season, go and see Ruben Candal. His is probably the most skilful player to line out for Athlone in years. He brings out the best in players around him and is most definitely one to watch over this fixture.

Bray Wanderers Peter Grogan score in the reverse fixture and he has six goals already this season which is an excellent return for the young forward.

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 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 TOWN V BRAY WANDERERS (loitv.ie)

Referee Team
Referee: Marc Lynch   
1st Assistant Referee: Chris Campbell 
2nd Assistant Referee: Thomas Joyce     
4th Official: Rob Dowling

Digital Match Programme

Athlone Victorious In Markets Field  

Athlone secured victory on the 6^th of May 2024 playing out a 1-0 win against Treaty.

Dario made three changes to his starting eleven seeing Aaron Connolly, Jamar Campion-Hinds and Ruben Candal come into the team. 

Athlone started well and passed the ball nicely in the hope of creating a few chances in the opening thirty minutes but neither team really tested the opposition goalkeeper. Athlone got plenty of crosses into the box but they were easily dealt with by the Treaty defence.

Treaty felt they had a great shout for a penalty in the 21^st minute when a Thomas Considine cross to Alec Byrne saw a coming together between Byrne and Amardo Oakley but the referee correctly waved play on.

The hosts created their best chance of the game so far in the 40^th minute when after the ball wasn’t properly cleared by the Athlone defence and it was laid off by Thomas Considine to Colin Conroy, but he fired over and never really threatened the Athlone goal. Treaty finished the first half the stronger of the two teams, but it was 0-0 as referee Alan Patchell blew the half time whistle. 

After what was a dull first half we had a blistering start to the second half. Athlone straight from the restart found the front, from the kick off the Athlone forward line put pressure on the back line of Treaty United and Ruben Candal caught a Treaty player in possession and slid the ball through to Dean Ebbe who cooly slotted home and put the visitors 1-0 up. This was Ebbe’s 7^th goal of the season and put him top of the scoring charts. 

This kicked the game into life and German Fuentes Rodriguez in 49^th minute saved what was surely going to be a Treaty equaliser. A Lee Devitt free kick was headed towards goal and Mark Byrne flicked it past Enda Minogue but German cleared the ball off the line to keep it 1-0. 

It was Athlone’s turn to test the opposition. The excellent Candal found time and space in the box and laid the ball off to Connolly who blasted his shot towards goal but it was always going over.

Athlone were kept in the game just after this when Treaty went down the other end and Enda Minogue pulled off a brilliant double save to keep the game at 1-0.

Treaty found themselves down to ten men when Evan O Connor was caught out by the pace of Jamar Campion-Hinds and took him down when he was through on goal. had no hope of getting the ball and Jamar stayed down following the challenge the referee showed no hesitation in producing the red card.

Time was against the home side as they pushed for an equaliser they created a few chances one fell to Stephen Chrisopher from the edge of the area but he snatched at it and it was always going over. 

Athlone had a chance to wrap it up in the 92^nd minute when Dean Ebbe ran through on goal and Cory Chambers saved well to keep his side in the game. Athlone were reduced to 10 themselves when Connolly was dismissed for a second yellow card. 

Athlone held on to win 1-0 and pick up the three points. 

Following match day fourteen this result sees Athlone move to third on twenty two points and Treaty stay eight on twelve points.

Athlone Town AFC: Enda Minogue, German Fuentes Rodriguez, Daniel McKenna, Dylan Hand, Ruben Candal (Jamal Ibrahim 65’), Aaron Connolly ©, Dean Ebbe, Jamar Campion-Hinds, Carl Mujaguzi (Shane Forbes 82’), Amardo Oakley (Oisin Duffy 65’), Brian Torre (Jarlath Jones 65’)

Unused Substitutes: Andrew Stuart Trainor, Divine Izekor, Gideon Tetteh, Shaun O Donnell

Bookings: McKenna (20), Rodriguez (45), Oakley (46), Connolly (74), Mujaguzi (79’), Duffy (85), Connolly (96)

Sending Off: Connolly (96)

Attendance: Unknown

AthloneTownAFC.ie Man of The Match: German Fuentes Rodriguez

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