Athlone Town AFC wish to announce that Ciarán Kilduff has decided to step down from his role as Head Coach of the Athlone Town AFC Women’s team.

Ciarán has been an integral to the club’s success, leading the women’s team to their first-ever Premier Division title in a memorable season.

Speaking on his decision, Ciarán said: “It has been an absolute honour to work with such talented players and dedicated staff. Winning the Premier Division title with this team is something I will cherish forever. However, after much reflection, I feel this is the right moment for me to step away. I informed the club of my decision after the game, I am extremely proud of what we have achieved, and I would like to thank the club, players, and supporters for their incredible support throughout my time here.”

Athlone Town AFC would like to express its gratitude to Ciarán in helping deliver a historic Premier Division title to the club.

We wish him every success in his future endeavours.

The club will begin the search for a new head coach in the coming weeks.

Roisin Molloy has rounded off a remarkable SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division season by being named the Player of the Month for October.

The Sligo native played in all 20 league matches, playing a key role in helping the Midlanders secure their first league title, following their triumph in the President’s Cup. Up next is the Sports Direct FAI Cup final, set to take place on Sunday.

Molloy concluded the season ranked second in key passes (16), third in progressive runs (60), fourth in expected assists (4.35), seventh in shots on goal (43), and 11th in crosses (48).

The 22-year-old scored five league goals, but it was her overall play across both midfield and forward positions that made her stand out. She excelled at creating space, linking defense with attack, and consistently delivering standout performances.

Molloy becomes the third Athlone player to win this monthly prize this season following on from Casey Howe (April) and Madison Gibson (September), while clubmate Jesi Rossman was also nominated this month.

Molloy secured the Player of the Month award in a vote that favoured her over Treaty United forward Danielle Steer, who ended the season with eight goals, and Shelbourne’s Maggie Pierce.

Athlone Town’s number one Katie Keane has earned her first senior international call-up!

Keane is regarded as one of the top young goalkeepers in the country, shining for the league champions this year. She has also been a standout performer for the Ireland Under-19s, delivering a heroic performance in their 0-0 draw against Spain during the European Championships this summer.

Her consistent performances have been recognised as the eighteen-year-old has conceded just 16 goals in 20 games this season.

She’ll meet up with the rest of the senior Republic of Ireland squad after playing in this weekend’s Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup final against Shelbourne.

Athlone Town have made history by securing their first-ever SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division title with a 2-0 victory over Bohemians at Athlone Town Stadium. Madison Gibson and Kellie Brennan found the back of the net, clinching the win and making Athlone only the fifth team to claim the league title since 2012.

Shelbourne’s 3-0 victory over Peamount United earlier in the day kept the title race alive until the very end. However, Athlone’s superior head-to-head record guaranteed them the championship with one game remaining, set to be played against Galway United on Saturday, October 12th.

The breakthrough arrived in the 26th minute when the recently announced September Player of the Month winner Madison Gibson pounced on a poor clearance from Bohemians goalkeeper Rachael Kelly, driving forward to fire in her seventh goal of the season. Just seven minutes later, Brennan doubled the advantage, skillfully turning her defender inside the box before finishing from close range. Athlone came close to adding a third, with Gibson missing the target and Brenda Tabe striking the crossbar with a powerful header.

Bohemians attempted to rally, but Athlone goalkeeper Katie Keane stood firm, securing her 10th clean sheet of the season. The victory marked Athlone’s 15th win of this historic campaign.

The Women’s Premier Division title adds to the club’s growing list of honours won by this great team, which also features last year’s Women’s FAI Cup triumph and consecutive President’s Cup victories. Ciaran Kilduff’s squad now sets their sights on completing a domestic double, as they prepare to face Shelbourne once again in the Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup Final on October 20th at Tallaght Stadium, kicking off at 3pm.

Athlone Town’s Madison Gibson was voted as the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division Player Of The Month for September.

The American Forward has been in excellent form, also netting a stunning free kick during the recent 3-3 draw against Shamrock Rovers.

With just two games remaining in the season, Athlone hold the top spot in the title race, with Gibson playing a pivotal role in making Ciaran Kilduff’s side the team to beat.

Madie is a very versatile player, whether she has plays out on the wing or up front, the American has been hugely influential in their attacking play with her direct running, precise passing and clincial finishing.

Gibson has taken on a leadership role in this team and has delivered when it has mattered most in big games, socring crucial goals. Filling in the voids after some high profile departures from the team during the season.

As the league title race reaches its climax and the Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup final approaches, Gibson will be aiming to build on this monthly award with even more accolades in the weeks ahead.

She fended off competiton from club-mate Brenda Tabe and Shelbourne’s Kate Mooney to win the prize.

Date: 15^th of June 2024
Kick-off: 7.30pm
Venue: Athlone Town Stadium

Athlone Town AFC return to Women’s Premier Division action tonight, Treaty United are the visitors to Athlone Town Stadium. The game will kick off at 7.30pm.

Athlone are unbeaten in five and sit third in the table today, but while all eyes maybe on a game at 2pm today, Athlone won’t be underestimating this strong Treaty United Team.

Ciaran Kilduff stated, “We are only concentrating on our own games. We have a tough test against a good team, we played them in preseason, and they showed us how difficult they can be to play against. We need to do our job and go and play well.”

Team News

Athlone Town AFC come into the game with a couple of injury concerns. Ciara Glackin is still ruled out. Kate Slevin is out for an extended period, and Kellie Brennan picked up an knock midweek but is ok to play.

Past Encounters

Athlone Town and Treaty played in preseason, and it was a tight game so we expect the same today.

Key Players to Watch

For Athlone Town AFC Madison Gibson has the X-Factor. She can turn a game on its head in a matter of minutes. Her contributions since joining the club have been huge and here’s hoping she can continue to deliver again today.

For Treaty United Cara Griffin’s stats were off the charts last year she is a gem of a player and is very dangerous when on the ball.

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.

To Watch Click Here

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

Referee Team
Referee Aaron O Dowd
1st Assistant Referee: Dylan Redmond
2nd Assistant Referee: John Hanney       
4th Official: Jason Moore

Casey Shows Us Howe Its Done.

Athlone Town won 2-0 against Sligo Rovers on the 25th of May 2024.It was an entertaining game in the Showgrounds where Athlone started brightly, and it was the visitors that hit the front first.

In the 7th minute the move was started by a magnificent ball forward by Kayleigh Shine giving Roisin Molloy something to chase, Molloy got the cross in and it was flicked on wonderfully by Chloe Singleton to the former Sligo Rovers player Casey Howe who made no mistake from 8 yards out putting the town 1-0 up.

Casey almost had a second in the 16th minute when she headed a Madison Gibson corner goal ward, but it was well held by Amber Hardy in the Rovers goal.

Hardy was called on again in the 19th minute the ball broke to the edge of the area, after an Athlone attack, to Kate Slevin who fired a shot at goal from 20 yards out and it was well saved by Hardy.In the 23rd minute, Sligo had the ball in the net, but the referee had blown the whistle and Katie Keane was fouled as the ball came in and it was a free out to Athlone.

A Madison Gibson ball forward to the left wing, set Athlone on the attack with Casey Howe who ran at the Sligo defence and her pull back was to Molloy whose shot was deflected but found its way into the arms of the Sligo Rovers goalkeeper.

In the 45th minute a Jesi Rossman freekick was flicked on by Chloe Singleton towards Madison Gibson who had just drifted offside. It made its way to Casey Howe who turned the ball home but it was chalked off for the offside offence. Sligo finished the half brightly, but it was the visitors who went in at the break 1-0 up.

Sligo Rovers, just after break, felt they could have had a penalty for a challenge by Shauna Brennan on Keri Loughrey, but the referee waved play on.

Athlone had a chance to double their lead in the 53rd minute when a Shauna Brennan cross from the left-hand side was met at the back post by Roisin Molloy but she couldn’t get a good connection and it went wide, it was a let off for the hosts.

Athlone did double their lead in the 65th minute when Rossman controlled a Sligo Rovers clearance at the halfway line. Rossman pumped the ball forward to Shauna Brennan who with a bit of work to do, cushioned to ball into the path of Casey Howe who had time to pick her spot and with her first touch fired the ball in the net putting Athlone 2-0 up.

In 66th minute Howe was looking for her hat trick when she shot from just outside the box, but it never really troubled Hardy in the Sligo goal.In the 76th minute Athlone had a chance to put the game to bed when Madison Gibson ran down the left wing despite being held back by her opponent got her cross in, which was left for Singleton by Brown, but Chloe shot was just wide of the post.

Both teams would create another couple of chances but it was Athlone that held on for the win and sees them move back to third in the table on sixteen points and Sligo stay tenth on three points as we head into the international break.

Next up for Athlone is a trip to Cork on the 8th of June.

Athlone Town AFC: Katie Keane, Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Shauna Brennan (Gillian Keenan 81′), Jesi Lynne Rossman, Kate Slevin (Ciara O’Neill 89’), Chloe Singleton, Casey Howe (Isabel Ryan 89’), Laurie Ryan ©, Roisin Molloy (Kerryanne Brown 65′), Madison Gibson.

Unused Substitutes: Amy Mahon, Antea Guvo, Mary Philips, Aoife Murphy O’Connor, Hazel Donegan.

Attendance: Unknown

AthloneTownAFC.ie Player of The Match: Casey Howe

Date: 25^th of May 2024
Kick-off: 7pm
Venue: The Showgrounds

Athlone Town AFC return to Women’s Premier Division action tomorrow night, Sligo Rovers are the hosts as Athlone Town make the trip to the Showgrounds.

Athlone have put together a run-in recent games and find themselves third in the table. With last weekends cup action out of the way all eyes return to the league.

Ciaran Kilduff stated, “Another tough test against a good team, we had a good battle with them in the All-Island cup and we expect the same this week.”

Team News

Athlone Town AFC come into the game with a couple of injury concerns. Ciara Glackin is ruled out and Kayleigh Shine is a doubt.

Past Encounters
Athlone Town and Sligo have had some entertaining games. This will be the eighth meeting between the two clubs. This is the last game before the international break.

Key Players to Watch

For Athlone Town AFC Madison Gibson has the x factor. She can turn a game on its head in a matter of minutes. Her contributions since joining the club have been huge and here’s hoping she can continue to deliver.

For Sligo Rovers Kelsey Monroe is a player well known to Athlone fans, she always gave it her all when playing for Athlone and was a league and cup runner up with the club two years ago. She has a wand of a left foot and is very dangerous from set pieces.

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.

SLIGO ROVERS V ATHLONE TOWN (loitv.ie)

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

Referee Team
Referee: Alan Patchell
1st Assistant Referee: Paudie Hayes
2nd Assistant Referee: Thomas Joyce
4th Official: Emmett Dynan

Date: 18^th of May 2024
Kick-off: 5pm
Venue: Eamon Deacy Park

This is final fixture in Group D of the All-Island Cup. The FAI Cup champions take on the All-Island Cup champions part II. Both teams have taken maximum points so far in this competition so have already qualified for the knockout stages.

In the opening game of the season, Galway made a great start to their campaign and haven’t looked back since. They delivered a real hammer blow to Athlone on that occasion winning 2-0 on the night. Galway are one of the two the undefeated team this season and will be looking to keep that record going. Galway have played five games at home this season and haven’t conceded a goal, scoring seventeen in the process. On paper is it a mammoth task for the visitors to go to EDP and get a result.

Ciaran Kilduff spoke to AthloneTownAFC.ie and stated “We will be approaching this game like any other, despite both teams being already through in the group. It’s another opportunity to test ourselves against one of the best teams in the country.”

Team News

Athlone Town AFC come into the game with a chance to rest some key players. Chloe Singleton is a doubt and Ciara Glacken is ruled out.

Past Encounters

Athlone Town and Galway played four times last season and with only four goals coming we expect this game to be tight and the game could be decided by one goal. Galway are very dangerous from set pieces and the Athlone back line will need to be on the top of their game.

Key Players to Watch

For Athlone Town AFC Shauna Brennan has gone from strengthen to strengthen this season and really found her form in recent weeks and we hope to see more of the same form the left back.

For Galway United Jenna Slattery is a superb talent and currently sits top of the scoring charts. Usually when she plays well, Galway play well, the 20-year-old midfielder turned into ta real leader for her team.

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

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

Referee Team
Referee Paudie Hayes
1st Assistant Referee: Dermot Broughton             
2nd Assistant Referee: Emmett Dynan
4th Official: Marc Lynch