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Women’s Match Report: Wexford FC (H)

Written by Admin on . Posted in News, Women's.

Kayleigh Shine’s at The Back

Both teams started brightly, and it was clear it was a tense atmosphere with both teams needing a win or a least a draw.

We had to wait 19 minutes for the first real chance of the game. Kate Selvin won the ball in midfield and found Casey Howe, who helped it to Chloe Singleton. Singleton who was running at the Wexford back line played a great ball to Roisin Molloy who had time, getting her cross in towards Madison Gibson but Jayne Merren read it well and was out quickly to save it.

In the 22nd minute Gibson finds Kate Selvin who with a bit of space and she unleashed a shot, but it was never troubling the Wexford goal.

In the 23rd minute, a long ball over the top by Kellie Brennan gave Casey Howe something to chase but Merren realising shes outside of the box deals with it by kicking, it clear very clever goalkeeping.

In the 33rd minute we had Wexford’s first real chance. A sustained attack from Wexford found Aine Walsh on the right-hand side. She played a clever pass to Murphy who found Ciara Rossiter inside the box who done brilliantly to find Ellen Molloy who is closed quickly by Roisin Molloy who blocked the shot going out for a corner to Wexford.

Della Doherty should have scored from the resulting corner; her run wasn’t tracked and with time and space she just couldn’t get a good connection on the ball, and it bounced over the bar. It was a real warning for the hosts.

Kellie Brennan in the 38th minute played a good one two with Roisin Molloy on the right and Kellie got the shot away. It had Merren scrambling in the Wexford goal, but it went narrowly wide.

It was an even first half and the teams went in at half time 0-0.

Wexford started the second half brightly and could have found the front two minutes after the restart. Athlone were building out from the back Gibson was caught in possession and the ball was played forward to the exciting Ceola Bergin who laid it off to Rossiter whose left footed shot from distance just narrowly over the bar.

In the 56th minute of the game Wexford created another great chance, a quick Orlaith Conlon throw in found Rossiter who wasn’t picked up and it allowed her to play a ball over the top for Bergin to run onto leaving her one on one with Katie Keane, her touch allowed Shine to recover and get herself between that player and the ball allowing Keane to make the save.

In the 60th minute a good ball in behind from Molloy finds Chloe Singleton whose chipped effort is narrowly over the bar. This was an even game and it looked like it was going to finish scoreless.

In the 70th minute we finally got the goal the game needed. Clancy played a ball forward looking for Bergin, but Jesi Rossman intercepted the ball and stepped into midfield. She played a quick ball out to Gibson on the left wing who took on Russell beating her and pulling the ball back to Singleton who brilliantly placed the ball into the bottom corner putting the town one nil up.

Moments later it could have been two. A Kellie Brennan cross found Kerry Brown with her back to goal and she chipped it over her head finding Gibson in front of goal but her shot was always going over the bar.

A Freya de Mange free kick had Athlone worried in the 83rd minute, from about 30 yards out she had a go looking for the top corner, but it went narrowly over.

Athlone held on for the win and sees them move back to third in the table on thirteen points and Wexford eighth on four points with both teams having played a game less than the teams around them.

Athlone Town AFC: Katie Keane, Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Shauna Brennan, Jesi Lynne Rossman. Kate Slevin, Chloe Singleton, Casey Howe (Gillian Keenan 85′), Laurie Ryan ©, Roisin Molloy (Kerryanne Brown 71′), Madison Gibson

Unused Substitutes: Amy Mahon, Isabel Ryan, Antea Guvo, Mary Philips, Aoife Murphy O’Connor, Hazel Donegan, Ciara O’Neill

Bookings: Singleton (82)

Attendance: 436

AthloneTownAFC.ie Player of The Match: Kayleigh Shine

Men’s Match Report: Bray Wanderers (H)

Written by Admin on . Posted in Men's, News.

Athlone Town Stadium Is Becoming a Fortress    
Athlone secured victory on the 10th 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 12th 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 4th 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 26th 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 54th 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 62nd 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 69th 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 74th 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 81st 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

Women’s Match Preview: Wexford FC (H)

Written by Admin on . Posted in News, Women's.

Date: 11th of May 2024
Kick-off: 7.30pm
Venue: Athlone Town Stadium

Athlone Town AFC return to Women’s Premier Division action tonight, Wexford are the visitors to Athlone Town Stadium. Athlone were not in action last week, but Wexford were very impressive against Sligo Rovers returning to form.

The game will kick off at 7:30pm.

Athlone were hurt by losing their opening game of the season to Galway but have won three of the four league games since, picking up ten points from the next twelve and find themselves third in the table.

Manager Ciaran Kilduff stated, “We are expecting a very competitive game here today and know how dangerous Wexford are.” He added “Having no game last week it was difficult but we trained well and the girls are looking forward to the game.”

Team News

Athlone Town AFC come into the game with a couple of injury concerns. Kerryanne Brown and Ciara O’Neill are a doubt, while Madison Gibson missed training this week, but should be fit to play. 

Past Encounters
Athlone Town and Wexford have played ten times with no draws, Wexford winning six and Athlone winning four. Last time out they played in November and Athlone were victorious on that occasion, but Wexford are a big challenge for the hosts, and it won’t be an easy game for either team.

Key Players to Watch

For Athlone Town AFC Casey Howe has won Goal of the Month and Player of the Month, so we hope she can continue in May what she was able to do in April.

For Wexford Ellen Molloy continues to be one of the most exciting players in the league. She had an injury last season but is beginning to find her form again and can really punish a team with her passing and freekicks. Ciara Rossister score a hattrick last week so she will be a handful for the Athlone defence.

Match Tickets
Tickets for the game can be purchased by clicking here.
Adults €10 Concessions €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 WEXFORD (loitv.ie)

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

Referee Team
Referee Ryan Maher
1st Assistant Referee: Sean Stephens  
2nd Assistant Referee: John Hanney
4th Official: David Connolly  

LOI Academy Players of the Month – April 2024

Written by Admin on . Posted in Academy, News.

LOI Academy Players of the Month – April 2024

Here are this month’s EA Sports LOI Academy Athlone Town AFC Players of the Month! 

Men’s U14’s – Mateusz Dziedzic

A hard hitting no nonsense fullback , showing exceptional technical abilities and energy on both sides of the game, Mateusz seamlessly integrates into the national league scene. His development in this brief period has elevated him as a standout player worth keeping an eye on.

Men’s U17’s – Will Smith

Will has been selected due to his all round performances as the MU17’S team captain adding to his goals and assists for the team during the month of April.

Women’s U17’s – Maeve Wollmer

The WU17’s played 3 games, winning all 3, and. scored 10 goals, only conceding 2 during the month of April.

Congratulations to Ellen Gorman, who made her first LOI starting debut for the club, keeping a cleansheet in the process.

Congratulations to Emma Mooney, Ruby Phelan, Muireann Daly, Roisin Bradley, Holly Murphy, and Alison Nugent all scoring during the month.

The Player Of The Month goes to Maeve Wollmer.

Maeve scored 3 goals and 2 assists during the month.

Maeve also scored an outrageous goal for the Irish Under 16s in their game against Denmark. The goal is up for contentio for Goal of the Year. Not content with scoring her first international goal in that game, Maeve stepped up and scored the winning penalty in the penalty shootout.

Women’s U19’s – Hazel Donegan

The WU19’s played 3 games, winning 2 of them and scored 12 goals, and only conceding 2.

Congratulations to Julia on keeping another 2 clean-sheets this month, bringing her total to 6 for the year.

Special mention to Muireann Daly and Danielle O’Neill on their outstanding performance during the month.

Congratulations to Lucy FitzGerald, Keelin Fitzgerald, and Aoife Murphy – O’Connor also scoring during the month.

We also welcome back Olivia Killackey to the club.

The WU19s POTM goes to Hazel Donegan. What a month it was for Hazel, not only in the WU19s league but also on the international stage.

Hazel scored in all 3 U19 games, scoring 9 goals in total, including 6 goals in one game.

Not content with dominating in the U19s league Hazel made her senior debut for the club in the All-Ireland Cup against Sligo Rovers.

Hazel wasn’t finished there, and to top off her month, Hazel scored on her Ireland Under 19s debut in their win over Croatia in the European qualification campaign.

Men’s U20’s – Brendan Lauder

It was very tough for the management to pick someone out as team performances have been very good, could have been any of 4 or 5 different players.

Brendan, who plays centre back, has great anticipation and is good on the ball. He is just 19 years old and is from North Carolina.

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Men’s Match Preview: Bray Wanderers (H)

Written by Admin on . Posted in Men's, News.

Date: 10th 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

Casey Howe Wins April Goal of the Month Award

Written by Admin on . Posted in News, Women's.

Following up on her Women’s Premier Division April Player of the Month award, Casey Howe has also won the April Goal of the Month award!

Casey’s goal against Peamount United won the vote that took place on @leagueofireland X’s account and competed against seven other nominations that covered the Women’s Premier Division, aswell as the Men’s Premier and First Divisions, where Carl Mujaguzi’s goal against Kerry FC also featured.

Casey has scored five goals already this season and her performances continue to improve as her awards from last month prove that.

WU17’s team make it seven wins in a row

Written by Admin on . Posted in Academy, News.

Anthony Fay’s EA Sports LOI Academy Women U17’s team have had an incredible start to their season, winning their first seven games.

This fantastic run adds to the three wins The Town had at the end of last season meaning they have now had ten consecutive wins between both seasons.

Within the last two seasons, Athlone have only suffered three defeats and finished second in the league just three points behind Shelbourne, who beat Athlone in the Cup Final.

The Black and Blue currently sit top of Group B with twenty five goals scored in those seven games.

All LOI Academy league tables can be found on FAI Connect.

Maeve Wollmer, who scored three goals and assisted two back in April, received a call-up to the Ireland Women’s U16 team and scored an unbelievable goal in a friendly against Denmark, where she also scored the winning goal in the peanlty shootout.

Here are The Town’s goalscorers from the first seven games:

Maeve Wollmer (5)

Muireann Daly (4)

Lucy Fitzgerald (4)

Holly Murphy (4)

Emma Mooney (2)

Roisin Bradley (2)

Alison Nugent (1)

Ruby Phelan (1)

Niamh Niland (1)

Danielle O’Neill (1)

You can track all of the team’s fixtures and results here.

Men’s Match Report: Treaty United (A)

Written by Admin on . Posted in Men's, News.

Athlone Victorious In Markets Field  

Athlone secured victory on the 6th 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 21st 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 40th 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 7th goal of the season and put him top of the scoring charts. 

This kicked the game into life and German Fuentes Rodriguez in 49th 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 92nd 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

Supporter Information: Markets Field

Written by Admin on . Posted in News, Supporter Information.

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.