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

Athlone Town fans travelling to tomorrow’s game against Treaty United at the Markets Field can purchase their tickets HERE.

The advisable route for fans would be to travel via the M18 after exiting the M6 outside of Athenry as it is an easier road to travel.

The Track Bar is just outside the away end. Note that fans are not allowed out for a half time pint.

There is no parking at the stadium itself. However there is plenty of street parking in the area. Away fans should find it convenient to park on Mulgrave Street. Away buses also park there.

The away end is behind the goal with the stand. Depending on numbers a shop and hot food is available in the away end. If not fans are free to walk around to the home end where a wide variety of refreshments are on sale. 

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