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 22^nd 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 23^rd 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 33^rd 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 38^th 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 56^th 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 60^th 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 70^th 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 83^rd 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

Date: 11^th 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  

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.

https://twitter.com/LeagueofIreland/status/1787811725095362798

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

Athlone Town forward Casey Howe clinched the top spot in the April voting for the Women’s Premier Division Player of the Month, ahead of Shelbourne captain Pearl Slattery and Cork City’s Eva Mangan.

The Enniskillen native scored a brace in Athlone’s huge 3-1 win over champions Peamount last month at Athlone Town Stadium that was televised live on TG4. One of those strikes was also nominated for the League of Ireland Goal of the Month. Ciaran Kilduff’s side currently second in the table with 10 points from the opening five games.

Howe is joining life at her new club having only joined the Town at the start of the season from Sligo Rovers back in January and has made a massive impact so far, scoring five goals already this season.

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

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

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

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

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 8^th 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 14^th 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 25^th 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 43^rd 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.

43 nóim #ATHPEA
@AthloneTownAFC 1
@PeamountWomen 1

Ní raibh éinn ag súil leis an gceann sin, luas iontach ag Howe.

Casey Howe ghosts in behind for an excellent finish and it's level at the break!
@LoiWomen #WLOI

BEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/aYkwFIrz6c

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) April 13, 2024

Athlone started the second half brightly and looked for a goal to give them the lead, but they almost went behind in the 56^th 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 63^rd 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.

63 nóim #ATHPEA
@AthloneTownAFC 2
@PeamountWomen 1

Imirt thar cionn agus cúl den scoth ag an bhfoireann bhaile 😮

Kasey Howe hits the crossbar but Madie Gibson is on hand to finish the ball to the net.
@LoiWomen #WLOI

BEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/PEShlxTv4F

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) April 13, 2024

Athlone were awarded a penalty in the 71^st 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?”

83 nóim #ATHPEA
@AthloneTownAFC 3
@PeamountWomen 1

Cúl a bhí ag teacht do Áth Luain ach cad é mar chríoch 🤯

What a finish from Casey Howe for Athlone Town's third goal
@LoiWomen #WLOI

BEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/fs4YngRl6U

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) April 13, 2024

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

SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division: Athlone Town v Peamount United

Date: Saturday 13th April 2024
Kick-off: 7.35pm
Venue: Athlone Town Stadium

Athlone Town AFC return to Women’s Premier Division action tomorrow night, Peamount United the visitors to Athlone Town Stadium in a game under the lights and the cameras of TG4 who will be broadcasting the game live to the nation.

Athlone were disappointed to lose to Galway in the season opener but have picked up a win away to Bohmians and snatched a late goal to get a point at home to Shelbourne.

Peamount have started better than Athlone and find themselves second in the league winning two of the opening three games.

Ciaran Kilduff stated, “It’s great to have the chance to play on TG4. The girls are looking forward to it, after having no game last week. We are coming up against a great side and aren’t taking anything for granted.” he added. “Tá súil againn gur féidir linn imirt go maith agus trí phointe a bhuachan”

Team News
Athlone Town AFC come into the game with a couple of injury concerns. Chloe Singleton is a doubt and Jenaya Robertson returned to training this week. Ciara Glackin is also back to light training but unfortunately Abby Carchio has been ruled out for the rest of the season following a serious knee injury.

Past Encounters
Athlone Town and Peamount have had some entertaining games. Peamount will be feeling like they owe Athlone one following their President’s Cup game in the season curtain raiser.

Key Players to Watch
For Athlone Town AFC Casey Howe has gotten better as preseason went on and she be looking get her name on the score sheet again as she did in the curtain raiser.

For Peamount United, Freya Healy is one of the most exciting young talents in the league and will be looking to impress on occasions such as this.

Referee Team
Referee: Chris Sheehan
First Assistant Referee: Conor Fitzgibbon
Second Assistant Referee: Niall McLoughlin
Fourth Official: Oliver Moran

Match Programme