Weeks after the 2023 season has come to an end, preparations for the 2024 season are already underway. Here is a brief review on all of our current squad’s to date:

We will be making a couple more signings and re-signings in the coming weeks in the build-up to the new season, so make sure to keep an eye out on our website and social media channels!

Season tickets for next season can be purchased by clicking here.

LOITV season passes can be purchased by clicking here.

Cobh Comeback Clinches Draw

The match truly was a game of two halves, with Athlone shining brighter initially. Athlone looked dangerous on the attack and found the front 25 minutes in. Following Jarlath Jones’s throw-in, Jamal Ibrahim carved out space on the left wing, delivering a cross that Dean Ebbe expertly headed home who rose highest in the six-yard box and his header found the back of the net.

Athlone continued to create lots of openings and in the 32^nd minute following a cleared corner the ball was retrieved on the left-hand side by Noah Van Geenen who momentarily forgot he was a centre back, turned exquisitely and floated a ball into the box to find Dylan Hand who with a powerful header smashed the ball off the cross bar and in to go two goals to the good.

As the second half began, deteriorating weather worsened playing conditions, coinciding with a marked improvement in Cobh’s performance. From a corner on the left hand side the ball missed everyone and substitute Nolan Evers found himself at the back post and turned the ball in to get Cobh back into the game.      

Just past the hour Aaron Connolly, seizing the ball in Cobh’s half, charged at the defence. From about 20 yards out, he outwitted a defender with a clever dummy before curving a stunning shot past an outstretched Darragh Burke who couldn’t do much about the strike. Athlone restored the two-goal lead.

Athlone probably thought at this stage they had done enough but Cobh had different ideas and The Town were under massive pressure. Around the 70^th minute mark, Dale Holland from about 20 yards out hit a wonderful strike along the ground past Enda Minogue in the Athlone Goal and it was game on.

In the 77th minute, following a contentious corner, Cobh’s relentless pressure paid off. The cross found its way through a crowded box to David Bosnjak, who clinched the equalizer from 12 yards out to complete the comeback and earn a share of the points for Cobh Ramblers on their first league home game away from home.

Athlone will rue missing out on three points after dominating the first half.

Following match day two, this result drops Athlone to second and propels Cobh to sixth in the table.

Athlone Town AFC: Enda Minogue, German Fuentes Rodriguez (Gideon Tetteh 88’), Jarlath Jones, Noah van Geenen, Daniel McKenna, Dylan Hand, Aaron Connolly (C), Dean Ebbe, Carl Mujaguzi (Divine Izekor 70′) (Dylan Gavin 88’), Amardo Oakley, Jamal Ibrahim (Brian Torre 54′)              

Unused Substitutes: Andrew Stuart Trainor, Ruban Candal, Shane Forbes, Oisin Duffy, Matthew Leal

Bookings: McKenna (76), Izekor (88)

Attendance: 367

AthloneTownAFC.ie Man of The Match: Aaron Connolly

SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division: Cobh Ramblers v Athlone Town AFC

Date: February 23rd, 2024

Kick-off: 7.45pm

Venue: Turner’s Cross, Cork

Following on from an opening weekend win for Athlone they make the “shortened” trip to Cork for the first away trip of the season. St Colman’s Park is having a new pitch laid so Cobh will play their games in Cork City for the foreseeable. With the kick-off scheduled for 7.45pm, both teams are looking to start their campaign on a high note.

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

Cobh played Treaty last weekend and found themselves 1-0 down at half time. They battled back at the beginning of the second half and got themselves back into the game with Mathew McKevitt getting an equaliser, but Treaty had enough to run out 3-1 winners in the end.

Athlone hosted Wexford and an excellent first half performance saw them go in at the break 3-0 in front. They held on in the second half and got the clean sheet with the game finishing 3-0

Dario Castelo stated, “It was great to get the win and get going. For us the hard work continues.”

Team News

Athlone Town AFC have a couple of injury concerns, with Jamar Campion Hinds still sidelined with injury and Ruben Candal returned to training this week but is ruled out for the trip to Cork. Loan signing Gideon Tetteh is hoping to make his first appearance for the club after joining from Shamrock Rovers initially until June 30^th.

Cobh Ramblers, lost some of their key players from last season but have a strong squad still having done good business in the off-season. They can look forward to the game with a clean bill of health and no suspensions.

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.

Key Players to Watch

For Athlone Town AFC, Daniel McKenna covered every blade of grass last week and was rightfully given man of the match. 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. The 25 year old Tipperary navtive will be a handful for the Athlone centre half’s to deal with.

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

Referee Team
Referee: Alan Patchell
1st Assistant Referee: Eoin Harte
2nd Assistant Referee: Ciaran O’Reilly
4th Official: John Sconnie Walsh

Athlone Town Begin Season With A Bang

In what was a damp night in Athlone Town Stadium, Athlone Town turned in a wonderful performance on the season opener. Athlone Town started the brighter of the two teams and had a lot of the possession in the early goings. Aaron Connolly captained ‘The Town’ and the fans were treated to a new look front three. Dean Ebbe retuned to the club and Jamal Ibrahim and Amardo Oakley made debuts.

Athlone created lots of openings in the first half and found themselves in front after 14 minutes when Noah van Geenen coolly side footed home the opener from a corner. It was all Athlone in the opening minutes and Dean Ebbe looked to get onto a long ball over the top and he was fouled just outside the area by Wexford Goalkeeper Owen Mason. He was booked by referee Chris Sheehan. From the resulting freekick Aaron Connolly tested Owen Mason who got down well to stop a great strike but Ibrahim reacted the quickest and was able to slot home from six yards to put Athlone 2-0 up.

Wexford started to grow into the game a bit and Mikie Rowe found himself with time to take the ball on his chest inside the Athlone Box but his shot was well over and didn’t trouble Enda Minogue in the Athlone Goal. Athlone played well with getting quick ball from the back to the front and Dean Ebbe laid off a good ball to Carl Mujaguzi and he found Ibrahim on the left who had lots of space to run into the box and shot low and again Mason got down well to stop the strike only to parry it to Oakley who dispatched it well to put ‘The Town’ 3 goals up.

The second half wasn’t as entertaining as the first but both teams created chances. Athlone will be happy to have kept a clean sheet and get 3 points on the board.

Athlone Town AFC: Enda Minogue, German Fuentes Rodriguez, Jarlath Jones (Shane Forbes 87’), Noah van Geenen, Daniel McKenna, Dylan Hand, Aaron Connolly (C), Dean Ebbe (Divine Izekor 70′), Carl Mujaguzi (Oisin Duffy 87’), Amardo Oakley, Jamal Ibrahim (Brian Torre 68′)

Unused Substitutes: Andrew Stuart Trainor, Dylan Gavin, Gabriel Padilla, Matthew Leal, Gideon Tetteh               

Bookings: Jones (80)

Attendance: 824

www.AthloneTownAFC.ie Man of The Match: Daniel McKenna

Head-To-Head stats after last night’s game:

Meetings: 55 | Athlone Wins: 27 | Draws: 7 | Wexford Wins: 21

SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division: Athlone Town AFC v Wexford FC

Date: February 16th, 2024

Kick-off: 7.45pm

Venue: Athlone Town Stadium

As the excitement builds up for the season opener between Athlone Town AFC and Wexford FC, we are eager to see how this encounter unfolds at the Athlone Town Stadium. With the kick-off scheduled for 7.45pm, both teams are looking to start their campaign on a high note. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this much-anticipated match.

Dario Castelo stated, “It’s great to finally get going and we are happy to begin at home”. “For us it is important to put everything into practice that we worked on in preseason. The team are looking forward to it” he added.

Team News

Athlone Town AFC enter this season with high hopes and a refreshed squad. During the off-season, we’ve made several signings in key positions to bolster our ranks, aiming to improve on last year’s playoff place. The team has had a good pre-season, getting much needed minutes into players in friendly matches. However, there are a couple of injury concerns, with Jamar Campion Hinds still sidelined with injury and Ruben Candal a doubt for the opening match.

Wexford FC, on the other hand, has also been active in the transfer market, bringing in young talents and experienced players to enhance their squad depth. Their fans would have been delighted to have secured the core of last year’s squad that achieved a fourth place finish last season. A familiar face to Athlone Town Fans Thomas Oluwa signs on a permanent deal. Wexford are likely to be without Cian O’Malley who has missed most of pre-season through injury.

Past Encounters

Athlone Town and Wexford FC have had a number of closely contested encounters in the past seasons, with the teams playing four times last season and both teams winning two of their games. Historically, matches between these two have been unpredictable, offering plenty of excitement and lots of goals. With both teams looking stronger and more ambitious this season, this opening game is expected to be no different.

Key Players to Watch

For Athlone Town AFC, much will depend on their new signings, especially the attacking players who have impressed in pre-season games. But key for Athlone will be central defender, Dylan Hand who returned to the club after eighteen-month spell away and will be crucial in organising the backline and keeping Wexford’s attackers at bay.

Wexford FC will rely on Wexford native Mikie Rowe, who joined from Galway United. He will be under the spotlight, and we expect him to bring goals to the impressive front line of Wexford.

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

Referee Team
Referee Chris Sheehan
1st Assistant Referee: Conor Harkin
2nd Assistant Referee: Sean Stephens
4th Official: Mark Moynihan

Permanent TSB LFA Senior Cup: Athlone Town AFC vs Shamrock Rovers u20s

Date: Tuesday, February 6th 2024

Kick-off: 7.45pm

Venue: Athlone Town Stadium

The final groupstage game of the Permanent TSB LFA Senior Cup takes place tonight, a win for The Town would see us top the group and progress to the next phase of the competition.

Team News

Ruben Candal and Jamar Campion-Hinds are both out with injury for this game. It is hoped that both players will be fit for next Friday’s SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division opening game at home to Wexford FC on February 16th.

Key Players to Watch

Amardo Oakley will be looking to impress having officially signed for the club last weekend.

Tickets for the game can be purchased by clicking here.

Permanent TSB LFA Senior Cup: Athlone Town AFC vs Longford Town

Date and Time: Tuesday, January 30th 2024

Kick-off: 7.45pm

Venue: Athlone Town Stadium

The first El Clasico of the year takes place tonight at Athlone Town Stadium. Although it is Permanent TSB LFA Senior Cup, The Town are determined to build on last Monday’s 3-2 win over Maynooth University Town in the first round of the competition.

Team News

Athlone Town come into this match on the back of a 3-1 friendly defeat at home to Shelbourne over the weekend. Jamar Campion-Hinds is still recovering from an injury and is not expected to feature. Speaking to the ATAFC Media Team, Dario Castelo stated “It’s always special to play at home in front of our fans and in a game that, as usual will awaken a lot of emotions for everyone”. “For us without taking away the competitive component and clear objective of wanting to win, it will be another game that is part of the growth process” he added.

Past Encounters

The Town are unbeaten in El Clasico since May 2022. Winning three of the last six Midlands Derbies. Dario and his squad will be hoping to extend this great run of form into the 2024 season and beyond.

Key Players to Watch

Dylan Hand has began pre-season postively following his return to the club. Providing consistently positive performances in his centre back role.

Longford’s recent addition Chris Lyons brings a wealth of experience to their club as he has more than 300 League of Ireland games under his belt scoing 74 times and is expected to be their danger man tonight.

Purchase your tickets for the game by clicking here.

Pre-Season Friendly: Athlone Town AFC vs Shelbourne FC

Date and Time: Saturday, January 27th 2024

Kick-off: 6pm

Venue: Athlone Town Stadium

This weekend, the stage is set for Athlone Town AFC prepares to face off against Shelbourne FC in what promises to be a much needed match in both teams preseason preparations.

Team News

Athlone Town comes into this match with high spirits following a win in the Permanent TSB LFA Cup earlier in the week. New signing Ruben Candal may make his first appearance for the club having started training midweek. Jamar Campion-Hinds is carrying a knock and has been ruled out for the game but may return on Tuesday in the LFA Cup. The squad has been training hard, focusing on their preseason preparations and coach Dario Castelo is quoted as saying “It’s important that we can get a good run out against a very good side”. He stated the that squad was in good spirits for the game with a formidable Shelbourne side.

Past Encounters

History has seen some memorable battles between these teams. One such meeting was the FAI Cup Quarter Final where Athlone won 4-1 to progress in the competition. Fans may know the Shels scorer on the day Ciaran Kilduff.

Key Players to Watch

For Athlone Town, Shane Forbes could be pivotal in this match. He has bags of talent and will be looking for a good showing against his former club. On the Shelbourne side Sean Gannon is looking to impress his new boss Damien Duff, the strong defender who was part of ten League of Ireland winning sides and is the one of the most decorated players in League of Ireland history.

Purchase your tickets for the game by clicking here.

Athlone Town AFC are delighted to announce that Jamar Campion Hinds and Noah Van Geenen have both agreed to extend their stay with the club for the upcoming season.

Jamar, known for his skillful play and finishing ability, has been a key player since joining the club last year. His decision to continue with Athlone Town underscores his dedication to the team’s success and development.

Noah Van Geenen, equally respected for his consistent performance and quality on the ball, has also been a crucial part of our squad. His commitment for another season strengthens our defensive capabilities and overall team dynamics.

Together, Jamar and Noah’s combined talents and experience will be invaluable as we aim to build on last season’s achievements. Their continued presence in the team is a huge boost for the club, the fans, and their teammates.

We are excited about the upcoming season and confident that with players like Jamar and Noah, Athlone Town AFC will continue to grow and achieve great success.

For further information or media inquiries, please contact:
media@athlonetownafc.ie