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Men’s Match Preview: Wexford FC (A)

Date: Friday 3rd May 2024
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Venue: Ferrycarrig Park

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

Athlone Town have really started to enjoy playing in Athlone Town Stadium but it’s the away form that have let us down this season. With four wins in their last five they are really looking to push on in chasing the playoffs for the second time in two seasons.

The town sit in sixth place on eighteen points.

Wexford have only lost one of their last eight games and won three of their last five. In their last home game, they suffered defeat so will be looking to make amends.

Wexford sit fourth also on eighteen points.

Dario Castelo stated, “We are training well, and we home the hard work continues. It is a long season, so we are taking each game as it comes. We have three games over the next eight days so it’s important to manage the squad as we have a few players carrying an injury.”

Team News

Athlone Town AFC have a couple of injury concerns, with Oisin Duffy and Aaron Connolly still struggling with injury. German Funtes is fit to play but Noah Van Geenen, who returned to training this week, is still a few weeks away from returning to play. Dylan Hand returns from suspension but Jarlath Jones is sidelined having picked up his 5th yellow card of the campaign.

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, Dean Ebbe is making waves on his return to League of Ireland football this season, having scored five goals already, including a standout double against Cobh. His sharp instincts and ability to deliver under pressure is why he continues to impress.

Wexford this website picked out Mikie Rowe last time we played Wexford as one to watch and since that he has scored six goals. With two goals against our neighbours last weekend, he is a big danger for us tonight.

Match Tickets
Wexford FC vs Athlone Town, 3rd May 2024 Match Tickets

Referee Team
Referee
Lucas Keating  
1st Assistant Referee: Conor Fitzgibbon 
2nd Assistant Referee: Simon Drislane   
4th Official: Alan Franklin

Women’s Match Report: DLR Waves (H)

Athlone Town Women extended their unbeaten run to four games when they overcame DLR Waves on Saturday night. The side are keeping pressure on league leaders, Galway United, who are now three points ahead in first place.

Athlone were relentless from then get-go and in the first minute, Kate Slevin smashed a long range shot off the crossbar, and the follow-up hit the post but was blown for offside. From the resulting free, DLR Waves attempted to play out from the back, but Roisin Molloy intercepted and slotted home off the post with just 69 seconds on the clock.

The hosts scored their second goal doubled their lead 10 minutes later when a lovely strike from outside the box by Katie Slevin was saved onto the crossbar by Waves keeper Eva Badana, but quick thinking Chloe Singleton was ready to pounce and slotted home the loose ball.

Athlone dominated the opening exchanges and found their third goal in the 35th minute. After having an earlier shot saved by Badana, Singleton scored her second after a good work by Madison Gibson in the box lined up Chloe to slot home her second to the far corner.

The first half finished 3-0 and Athlone looked to be in cruise control, however, Waves started the second half strong but the Athlone defence were well marshalled and managed to keep Katie Keane’s clean sheet intact.

Athlone did have chances in the second half, a fine long ball by Kayleigh Shine gave Malloy the opportunity to cross to Singleton, but her header went wide and certainly looked like it could have gone in. Chances were plentiful but a fourth goal did not arrive, however Athlone manager Ciarán Kilduff will know they will need to be more ruthless in front of goal in upcoming fixtures.

Athlone Town AFC: Katie Keane, Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Jesi Lynne Rossman, Shauna Brennan, Roisin Molloy, Laurie Ryan, Kate Slevin, Chloe Singleton, Madison Gibson, Casey Howe.

Used Substitutes: Jenaya Robertson, Gillian Keenan, Ciara O Neill, Hazel Donegan, Mary Philips.

Unused Substitutes: Antea Guvo, Amy Mahon, Aoife Murphy-O’Connor.

Attendance: 321

Women’s Match Preview: DLR Waves (H)

SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division: Athlone Town v DLR Waves

Date: Saturday, April 27th 2024
Kick-off: 7.30pm
Venue: Athlone Town Stadium

Athlone Town AFC return to Women’s Premier Division action tonight, DLR Waves are the visitors to Athlone Town Stadium in a game under the lights. The game will kick off at 7:30pm.

Athlone were hurt by losing their opening game of the season to Galway but have won four of their last five games and three of those were league games, picking up seven points from the next nine and find themselves second in the table.

DLR have only played three games but picked up an impressive draw against Shamrock Rovers.

Athlone have used the All-Island Cup well with all players getting adequate game time in the first six fixtures of the season and manager Ciaran Kilduff stated, “We are expecting a very competitive game here today and aren’t taking anything for granted.”

He added “Last time out we got to see Hazel rewarded for her excellent form and play ninety minutes.

Connie got on the score sheet again so I’m very happy with the progress of the girls and the work Anto and Niall are putting in to get the academy girls ready for competitive football.”

Team News
Athlone Town AFC come into the game with a couple of injury concerns. Kerryanne Brown is ruled out, Ciara Glackin and Laurie Ryan are a doubt.

Past Encounters
Athlone Town and DLR have played ten times with four draws, DLR winning two and Athlone winning four. Last time out they played in October and Athlone were victorious on that occasion.
Key Players to Watch
For Athlone Town AFC, Casey Howe’s agility and keen sense for scoring make her a standout forward, consistently threatening the opposition’s defence. Keep an eye on her dynamic playmaking and knack for finding the net.

For DLR, Eve O’Brien’s is an exciting young talent and her versatility set her apart as a forward, excelling in both creating and finishing scoring chances.

Referee Team
Referee: Declan Toland
First Assistant Referee: Ciaran O’Reilly
Second Assistant Referee: Conor Harkin
Fourth Official: Christopher Daly

Men’s Match Report: Cobh Ramblers (H)

Ebbe’s Edge: Securing Victory with Two Dean Ebbe Goals
 

Athlone were victorious in Athlone Town Stadium on the 26th of April 2024 winning 2-1 against Cobh Ramblers.

In fairness to Cobh, they were probably the better team in the opening exchanges but it was a poor start to the game. The first real chance of the game went the way of the visitors after 10 minutes when Charlie O Brien’s shot went wide of the post.

Athlone were dangerous with a long throw and had a chance of their own moments later but Dean Ebbe’s header was wide of the Cobh goal.

In what was a dull first half Athlone were beginning to press Cobh high up the pitch and were rewarded for that in the 41st minute when Dean Ebbe capitalised on Justin Eqauibor delaying on the ball and nicked it to find himself one on one with the goalkeeper. He rounded the keeper and took his time slotting the ball past two defenders on the line to put Athlone 1-0 up.

Athlone had a chance to double the lead just before half time but Carl Mujaguzi fired over the bar and the was the last action of the half.

The second half was a lot better than first with both teams attacking well. Athlone were lucky not to find Cobh level right after the restart when from a long throw they smashed the crossbar.

Athlone doubled the lead after 56 minutes with a brilliantly worked move. From an Enda Minogue goal kick eight passes later, they found the net. It was an excellent move that Dairo had obviously been working on. Going down the right hand side saw possession switched to Torre who had time and space and played a one two with Jamar and then crossed to Ebbe who got to the front post leaving Darragh Burke with no chance to double Athlone’s lead to 2-0.

The long throw from Cobh was causing lots of problems for the Athlone defence and in the 67th minute a throw in from Cian Browne on the right hand side wasn’t cleared far enough by Athlone and it was recycled by Cobh back to Browne who was on the right wing and his cross was controlled superbly by Brendan Frahill who fired the ball home from just inside the 18 yard box, it was a wonderful goal and Cobh were back in the game.

It was all Cobh for the last few minutes and only for two brilliant saves from Enda Minogue it could have been a share of the points but Athlone held out and claimed the victory.

Following match day twelve this result sees Athlone staying sixth and Cobh stay seventh in the table.

Athlone Town AFC: Enda Minogue, German Fuentes Rodriguez, Jarlath Jones, Daniel McKenna ©, Ruben Candal (Gideon Tetteh 64’), Dean Ebbe (Jamal Ibrahim 82’), Jamar Campion-Hinds (Shane Forbes 71’), Carl Mujaguzi (Aaron Connolly 82’), Amardo Akeem Oakley, Brian Torre, Matthew Leal

Unused Substitutes: Andrew Stuart Trainor, Oisin Duffy, Divine Izekor, Brendan Lauder, Ciaran Nolan

Bookings: Candal (45), Tetteh (69’), Jones (94)

Attendance:
508

AthloneTownAFC.ie Man of The Match: Dean Ebbe

Men’s Match Preview: Cobh Ramblers (H)

SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division

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

Match Programme

Women’s Match Report: Sligo Rovers (H)

The Town make it two wins from two in the Avenir Sports All-Island Cup.

Athlone Town secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sligo Rovers on Saturday night, with two goals in quick succession just before halftime proving crucial to their success.

Despite intense pressure from Sligo Rovers in the second half, Athlone’s solid defence held firm, allowing them to maintain their lead.

Athlone began the game with strong offensive pressure, creating several scoring chances. They finally broke through four minutes before the interval when a corner kick was guided home by Ciara O’Neill who used her body well and found the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.

Just before halftime, a penalty was awarded to Athlone, which Chloe Singleton confidently converted to give her team a 2-0 advantage at the break.

In the second half, Athlone focused on maintaining their defensive shape while also creating opportunities to extend their lead. Goalkeeper Bonnie McKiernan’s double save in the 80th minute was pivotal.

Former Town player Bonnie made two superb saves one form the onrushing Hazel Donegan which kept her team in the game. Athlone continued to withstand pressure in the closing stages, with key defensive contributions from Kayleigh Shine and others.

Though Sligo Rovers’ Muireann Devaney scored in the 75th minute, Athlone’s resilience and teamwork ultimately secured the victory.

The late yellow card for Shine highlighted Athlone’s determined defence as they held on to win 2-1, demonstrating their ability to withstand pressure and emerge victorious in a thrilling encounter.

Athlone Town AFC: Katie Keane, Kayleigh Shine, Jesi Lynne Rossman, Kate Slevin, Gillian Keenan, Chloe Singleton, Jenaya Robertson, Roisin Molloy, Madison Gibson, Hazel Donegan, Ciara O Neill.

Used Substitutes: Casey Howe, Laurie Ryan, Mary Philips, Aoife Murphy-O’Connor.

Unused Substitutes: Kellie Brennan, Shauna Brennan, Antea Guvo, Amy Mahon.

Bookings: Molloy (75’) Shine (96’)

Attendance: 166

AthloneTownAFC.ie Player of The Match: Roisin Molloy

Men’s Match Report: Kerry FC (A)

Athlone come from behind to beat Kerry
 

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

Bookings: Jones (80′)

Attendance:
742

AthloneTownAFC.ie Man of The Match: Carl Mujaguzi

Men’s Match Preview: Kerry FC (A)

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.

KERRY FC V ATHLONE TOWN AFC (loitv.ie)

Referee Team
Referee:
Ian O’Keeffe
1st Assistant Referee: Brian Fenlon
2nd Assistant Referee: Christopher Braganza
4th Official: Rob Hennessy

Women’s Match Preview: Sligo Rovers (H)

Athlone Town AFC return to Avenir Sports All-Island Cup action tonight night, Sligo Rovers are the visitors to Athlone Town Stadium in a game under the lights, kicking off at 7:30pm.

Athlone have started the competition in great form, coming from behind against Glentoran to win 5-2 in Belfast, with a second half rally after finishing the first half 2-1 down.

Sligo have started their league campaign well, picking up an impressive draw away to Shelbourne and Treaty only losing to high flying Galway.

This is the second game in this competition and this tie has the added edge with former Athlone manger Tommy Hewitt now the Sligo Rovers manager. Former Athlone players Kelsey Munroe and Muireann Devaney will be well known to Athlone fans and Casey Howe’s last club before Athlone was Sligo Rovers.

Ciaran Kilduff stated, “It’s great to have this competition on top the league for the girls to get game time. We are expecting a very competitive game and aren’t taking anything for granted.” He added “Last time out we got to see Ciara, Mary and Isabel start the game and Hazel came on as a substitute so it was great for them to get exposed to competitive football.”

Team News
Athlone Town AFC come into the game with a couple of injury concerns. Chloe Singleton is ruled out and Laurie Ryan is a doubt. Ciara Glackin is also back to light training, but this game is too soon in her return to fitness.

Past Encounters
Athlone Town and Sligo have had some entertaining games. This will be the seventh meeting between the two clubs. This game has the added flair of being a cup game.

Key Players to Watch
For Athlone Town AFC Casey Howe has had an excellent few weeks and hopefully her goal scoring run can continue. She has five goals and two assists in her first six games for the club.

For Sligo Rover Emma Doherty is an exciting young talent she will be looking to get on the score sheet.

Referee Team
Referee: Daniel Murphy
First Assistant Referee: Alan Dunne
Second Assistant Referee: Paudie Hayes
Fourth Official: Michael Connolly

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. GROUP D – ATHLONE TOWN V SLIGO ROVERS (loitv.ie)

Match Programme

Women’s Match Report: Peamount United (H)

Howe Good Is Casey?

Athlone Town AFC 3-1 Peamount United

Casey Howe was the star of the show as Athlone Town AFC played Peamount United live on TG4.  

The wind was a factor in early part of the game, but it was a dry evening in Athlone Town Stadium.

Both teams started brightly, and Athlone Town were finding some joy out wide and in the 8th minute a long ball forward from Jesi Rossman found Casey Howe in space on the right wing. Howe got her head up and hit a long cross to the back post which was played back across goal by Chloe Singleton towards Kerry Brown, but Jetta Berrill cleared the ball stopping what could have been the first goal of the game.

We didn’t have to wait too long for the first goal, in the 14th minute a defence splitting pass by Dearbhaile Beirne saw Ellen Dolan race through on goal and a tangle of legs saw her go down in the box and the referee showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The young seventeen-year-old Dolan dusted herself off and dispatched her peno into the bottom corner and it was 1-0 Peamount.

Athlone had it all to do and in the 25th minute from a Madison Gibson corner her cross was cleared but only as far as Shauna Brennan who found Gibson who again floated a cross in and it fell to Rossman who’s shot was just narrowly wide.

Peamount could have doubled their lead after 40 minutes when Beirne’s cross wasn’t dealt with by the Athlone defence and Peas recycled the ball well and Captain Karen Duggan found Irish International Erin McLoughlin free just inside the area, but her shot was wide of the far post.

Athlone got themselves back in the game in the 43rd minute. A Shauna Brennan throw in from the left-hand side found Browne who controlled it with her chest and hit a first-time pass over the top for Howe to run through on goal and hit it first time past the onrushing Niamh Reid Burke to level the score 1-1. The pass from Browne was exceptional.

Athlone started the second half brightly and looked for a goal to give them the lead, but they almost went behind in the 56th minute had it not been for a world class save by Katie Keane. Keane still just 17 somehow managed to keep out a super strike from Karen Duggan who from about 30 yards out, which nearly found the top left corner of the goal.

Athlone did find the front in the 63rd minute when a mazy run from Madison Gibson and a chipped ball out to the right found Casey Howe who after a nice bit of skill unleashed a shot which cannoned off the crossbar, but it fell to Gibson who slotted the ball home and but the Town 2-1 up.

Athlone were awarded a penalty in the 71st minute when a nice combination from Kellie Brennan and Roisin Molloy found Howe in the box and her shot was adjudged to have stuck Berrill on the hand and the referee pointed to the spot. Howe stepped up after a substitution from the visitors delayed the kick, she hit it to the right of the keeper, but it struck the bottom of the post and was cleared by Peamount.

Athlone could have wrapped up all three points with 80 minutes on the clock, a wonderful run by Molloy down the right wing saw her beat two players on the end line and with time in the box, Roisin’s pull back to find Gibson unmarked and unlike Maddie she snatched at the chance and hit it over the bar.

Athlone left the best until last, a Peamount attack was broken up by captain Laurie Ryan. Shauna Brennen got on the ball and stepped into midfield playing a lovely, weighted pass to the left wing for Gibson to run on to. Gibson drove down the line and hit a low cross to the near post and what happened next is hard justify with words, but Casey Howe chipped the ball with the outside of her back foot over the Peamount goalkeeper into the back of the net wrapping up all three points for the home side. It left the fans going home happy and all asking the same question “Howe good is Casey?”

It was all over after that, and Athlone Town will be happy with the performance and a nice end to a busy weekend at Athlone Town Stadium.

Athlone Town AFC: Katie Keane, Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Shauna Brennan, Jesi Lynne Rossman, Kate Slevin (Roisin Molloy 64’), Chloe Singleton (Jenaya Robertson 64’), Casey Howe (Hazel Donegan 90’), Kerryanne Brown, Laurie Ryan (C), Madison Gibson (Gillian Keenan 88’)

Unused Substitutes: Amy Mahon, Isabel Ryan, Mary Philips, Ciara O Neill, Aoife Murphy-O’Connor, Ciara O Neill  

Bookings: Rossman (14′)

Attendance: 512

AthloneTownAFC.ie Player of The Match: Casey Howe