Gibson Super Strike Seals a Draw

Athlone Town AFC and Shelbourne is growing into a rivalry for the ages. Shelbourne have dominated this fixture in previous years but there hasn’t been much to separate them in the last twelve months. There is a great respect between the clubs but there is a real will to win also.

Athlone started brightly in the game and retained the ball well to early pressure on the Shels defence. The first chance of any significance fell to the visitors when captain Pearl Slattery got onto the end of a corner from the righthand side, and her header never gave Katie Keane much concern as it sailed over the bar.

Athlone were feeling their way back into the game and in the 14^th minute, Chloe Singleton recovered possession for the hosts and passed the ball back to Kate Slevin who miscontrolled the ball and gave a way a freekick stretching to tackle Noelle Murray picking up the first yellow of the game. The resulting freekick forced Keane to make a good save by getting across to stop a great shot by Alex Kavanagh.

Athlone had created chances up to this but in the 17^th minute they almost found the front, the bright Slevin linked well with Shauna Brennan who crossed well to find Roisin Molloy in the box whose header was narrowly wide of the post.

Both teams were creating opportunities, but the next noteworthy chance fell to Athlone when a Singleton pass set Molloy away on the righthand side and her weighted pass found Kerry Browne who fashioned an opening, but her shot was well saved by Amanda McQuillan.

Shelbourne went in front in the 25^th minute. From an Athlone goal kick Christie Gray rose highest to win the header and the second ball was won by Rebecca Devereux who with a lovely piece of skill found Murray who’s looping shot went over Keane and put Shels 1-0 up.

Both teams were playing good football with Shelbourne going in at half time deserving their 1-0 lead.

This was a really good game of football, between two of the best teams in the country, and it was evident at the start of the second half as it was really end to end. Shelbourne could have been two in front just after the hour mark when from a corner Gray’s header from close range pulled a world class save out of Keane to keep the score at 1-0.

There was a real example of leadership from both captains shortly after this chance when there was a ball between Pearl Slattery and Laurie Ryan when both players were down for a lengthy spell after neither player gave an inch in the tackle.

Athlone started to turn the screw and pile on the pressure but there was no real significant chance that had Shelbourne goalkeeper McQuillan worried. As the game started to reach boiling point so did the players when both Keeva Keenan and substitute Madison Gibson were booked for kicking the ball at each other in the 85^th minute.

Shels had a chance to put the game to bed in the 90^th minute but a piece of brilliance by Murray to get time and space at the edge of the Athlone box was closed quicky but the recovering Jesi Rossman who played brilliantly throughout the game.

The home crowd was boosted by the fourth official signalling eight additional minutes. Athlone pushed forward and finally got their reward with a wonderful goal from Gibson. In the 93^rd minute a Kellie Brennan cross was cleared by Shels captain Slattery but only as far as the waiting Madison Gibson who controlled the ball with her chest and her perfectly placed volley gave Athlone a share of the points.

This was a great game of football, played at a breakneck pace with neither team willing to give an inch. Cant wait to see them do it all again in August.

Following matchday three, this result sees Athlone in fifth position and Shelbourne in third. Our next outing is on the 13^th of April at home to Peamount United.

Athlone Town AFC: Katie Keane, Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Shauna Brennan, Jesi Lynne Rossman, Kate Slevin, Chloe Singleton (Gillian Keenan 73′), Casey Howe, Kerryanne Brown, Laurie Ryan (C), Roisin Molloy (Madison Gibson 50′)

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

Bookings: Slevin (13′), Gibson (87′)

Attendance: 412

AthloneTownAFC.ie Player of The Match: Jesi Rossman

Women’s Premier Division
Date: 30^th March 2024
Kick-off: 7.30pm
Venue: Athlone Town Stadium, Athlone

Athlone Town vs Shelbourne has become one of the must-see games on the fixture list in recent seasons. Both teams have faced each other in the last two FAI Cup Finals resulting in a win each. Shels have won the National League on three occasions and really established themselves as the team to beat if you want to have success in the league.

Ciaran Kilduff’s side come into this game after a brilliant comeback win on Sunday in Belfast having trailed at the break. Casey Howe scored two and really showed her potential, securing a place in the Northern Ireland European Qualifiers Squad and we wish her well. Last time out in the League Athlone came up against a very good Boh’s team and got a valuable three points on the board. Shelbourne on the other hand have had a great start to the campaign having beaten champions Peamount last week to go second in the table.

Laurie Ryan said to AthloneTownAFC.ie “We are looking forward to this game, it’s a massive game early on in the season and important that we show what we can do against one of the best teams in the country.”

Manager Ciaran Kilduff said “I’m delighted to have picked up the win last week in the All-Island Cup but it’s important to keep the momentum going in this fixture with Shelbourne, they are a really good side and it’s crucial that we play the best we can if we have any chance to come away with three points.”

Team News

Athlone Town AFC the treatment table for Athlone is becoming a problem with Maddison Gibson, Ciara Glacken and Jenaya Robertson all ruled out. Abby Ciracho has picked up a significant knee injury and likely out for months. Mary Phillips also missed training this week and is likely to miss the game.

Past Encounters

Both teams have played nine times in the league and Shels have dominated the fixture winning seven of those fixtures and scoring twenty times and only conceding four. Add in the 3 cup games and on paper it’s a difficult game for this injury hit Athlone Team.

Key Players to Watch

For Athlone Town AFC Katie Keane has been a superb signing from the club. The first player in modern times to be given a multi-year contract she has kept six clean sheets in her eleven appearances for the club and made some massive penalty saves along the way. She has been included in Dave Connell’s latest u19 squad and it’s only a matter of time before she gets a senior cap.

For Shels Pearl Slattery has won numerous honours with Shels including three league titles, and four domestic cups. She has been a great servant to the club and is the heartbeat of the team. She drives them on from the back and is certainly a player to watch.

Athlone start All-Island Cup campaign with statement victory over NIFL double winners Glentoran.

Athlone Started the brighter of the two teams and put early pressure on the Glentoran defence. They broke the deadlock after five minutes when Gillian Keenan found Casey Howe at the edge of the box, Howe let the ball beat her and turned to rifle a shot past Ashleigh McKinnon in the Glentoran goal. Former Glentoran player Howe didn’t give the keeper any chance and it was 1-0 to Athlone.

Casey thought she had Athlone two to the good in the 19^th minute when she again turned really well at the edge of the box and her shot ended up in the back of the net but the offside flag stopped any celebrations from The Town.

This seemed to wake Glentoran up who got a lot of joy down their left-hand side, a couple of nice passes had them in behind the Athlone defence and a cross from the left from Demi Vance found Kerry Beattie who had drifted between the two Athlone centre backs to turn it in to level the game.

Unfortunately, Athlone midfielder Abby Carchio picked up a nasty injury on her first start for the club, she was challenging for the ball and twisted her knee and had to be withdraw from the game we wish her well and hope its not too bad.

Glentoran took the lead on the 33^rd minute from a corner, that wasn’t dealt with by the Athlone defence, fell to Nadene Caldwell in the six-yard box her effort was cleared by Jesi Rossman but the referee awarded the goal to make it 2-1 to the hosts.

Just before the half time whistle Athlone had settled into the game again and created a couple of chances but it was the hosts who went in the happier of the two sides at half time.

Athlone started the Second half brightly, and manager Ciaran Kilduff had made a couple of changes. In the 48^th minute young centre back Ciara O’Neill, picked up the ball from Kellie Brennan and stepped into midfield she found a pocket of space and she found Kerryanne Browne who played the ball in behind the Glentoran defence and set Keenan away. Browne done really well to get into the box and finish with the outside of the boot down to the keepers left to put Athlone back into the game.

Athlone started to grab hold of the game and on the 60^th substitute Chloe Singleton picked up the ball outside her own box and ran the length of the field and hit a shot which was just past the upright.

Howe was tackled at the edge of the box and the ref having judged Jenna McKearney to have committed the foul. Howe stepped up to blast the free from about 20 yards out finding the net with her second and Athlone’s third of the day, she hit it low and hard and McKinnon couldn’t do anything to stop it.

Things were to get better for Athlone and in the 76^th minute Howe took a corner from the left and it wasn’t dealt with by the Glentoran defence, it fell to O’Neill who hit a wonderful strike into the top corner and put Athlone 4-2 ahead.

Athlone wrapped the game up in the 85^th minute when Howe took a short corner to Rossman who had time and space to get the shot away blasted it past McKinnon to seal all 3 points in the All-Island Cup for Athlone. Howe was excellent and made two and scored two.

AthloneTownAFC.ie spoke to Casey Howe after the game and asked her thoughts on this evening’s game. “It was a great to come up to one of my old clubs and it’s always nice to return to get to see familiar faces. But today was great, it was a good team performance. Delighted to get on the scoresheet but it’s massive to get the three points on the board.”

Following match day one in the All-Island Cup this result moves Athlone joint top with Galway United. Our next outing in this competition is on the 21^st of April at home to Sligo Rovers.

Athlone Town AFC: Katie Keane, Shauna Brennan, Jesi Lynne Rossman (C), Kate Slevin, Gillian Keenan, Casey Howe, Kerryanne Brown (Hazel Donegan 79’), Isabel Ryan (Chloe Singleton 45’), Mary Philips (Kellie Brennan 45’), Ciara O’Neill, Abby Carchio (Laurie Ryan 30’)

Unused Substitutes: Amy Mahon

Bookings: None

Attendance: Unknown

AthloneTownAFC.ie Player of The Match: Casey Howe

All-Island Cup Group D
Date: Sunday, March 24th 2024
Kick-off: 4.30pm
Venue: Blanchflower Stadium, Belfast (BT4 2HP)

Ciaran Kilduff’s side come into this game after a mixed bag of results lately. Having been on a high after winning the President’s Cup, the Athlone Girls were taken back down to earth by Galway. Against Bohemians, Athlone were much better and got a valuable three points on the board. Switching gears, Athlone, who didn’t make it out of their group last year, are looking for a better showing this time around in the All-Island Cup. The come up against a great team in Glentoran who won the treble last year. The have a lot of international players in their squad and will be looking to kick off their season in style on Sunday.

Laurie Ryan said to AthloneTownAFC.ie “We are looking forward to it, we know the importance of a cup competitions and us players are looking hit the ground running in the group stages. They are the Treble Winners, and it will be a real test for us”

Manager Ciaran Kilduff said “I’m looking forward to another opportunity for the players to show how good they are and to test themselves against a really good side”

Team News

Athlone Town AFC come into the game with a couple of injury concerns. Madison Gibson and Jenaya Robertson have been ruled out and join Ciara Glackin on the injured list, who is hoping to return to training in the coming weeks. We have learned that Academy Graduates Ciara O’Neill, Isabel Ryan, Mary Philips and Hazel Donegan have all been included in the travelling squad.

Past Encounters

Athlone Town and Glentoran have never played before, but Athlone face a daunting task playing the treble winners in Belfast. Athlone’s defensive unit will have to be solid, as Glentoran’s attacking players present a formidable challenge.

Key Players to Watch

For Athlone Town AFC free scoring 16-year-old, Hazel Donegan is hoping that she can add to her superb season in 2023 and cement herself in the senior squad. She scored over 40 goals at all levels last season and is most definitely one to watch for the future. Finding it difficult to break into the International scene over the last few squads, her perseverance has been rewarded with her inclusion in the latest Ireland U19 Squad. We wish her well.

For Glentoran Demi Vance is a superb talent and a current international with Northern Ireland. In the recent UEFA Nations League Play-Off games against Montenegro she was voted Player of the Match getting herself a goal and an assist in the 2-0 win.

Match Tickets
Tickets for the game can be purchased at the gate.

Live Stream
Supporters who are not travelling to Belfast will be able to follow the game on LOITV.

Referee Team
Referee: Louise Thompson
1st Assistant Referee: Rachel Greer
2nd Assistant Referee: Lauren Trainor
4th Official: Ben Sheperd

Congratulations to Mary Philips, Katie Keane, and Hazel Donegan who were recently called up to the Ireland Women’s Under-19 squad for their upcoming UEFA Round 2 Euro Qualifiers next month!

The Girls in Green will take on:

Iceland on April 3rd

Austria on April 6th

Croatia on April 9th

Best of luck to the Mary, Katie, Hazel and the rest of the squad!

#ClubandCountry

The fixtures for the 2024 All-Island Cup Group Stage have been confirmed with the first round of games set to kick-off on Saturday, March 23rd.

The competition, which began last year involves 16 senior women’s teams in total. 11 from the League of Ireland and 5 from the Northern Ireland Football League make up the four groups of four teams.

The Town were drawn in Group D along with Sligo Rovers, Glentoran and last season’s winners Galway United.

The first game for Athlone will take place up North on Sunday, March 24th at Blanchflower Stadium against Glentoran FC, before a home game against Sligo Rovers, followed by a trip to Eamonn Deacy Park.

Below are the fixture details in full:

Matchday 1:

Glentoran FC v Athlone Town

Sunday, March 24th

Blanchflower Stadium

Kick-off: 4.30pm

Matchday 2:

Athlone Town v Sligo Rovers

Saturday, April 20th

Athlone Town Stadium

Kick-off: 7pm

Matchday 3:

Galway United v Athlone Town

Saturday, May 18th

Eamonn Deacy Park

Kick-off: 5pm

Should Ciaran Kilduff’s team progress past the groupstage, the quarter-finals ties will take place on the week ending June 23rd before the competition moves to the semi-finals on the week ending July 21st and then finishing with the Final on the week ending August 18th.

SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division: Athlone Town AFC vs Galway United

Date: March 9th, 2024

Kick-off: 7.30pm

Venue: Athlone Town Stadium

We are finally here. The season kicks off this Saturday with Athlone Town taking on Galway United. The FAI Cup champions take on the All-Island Cup champions. Athlone haven’t conceded many goals in Athlone since Ciaran Kilduff took over but Galway will be hoping for a bit of magic to unlock the Athlone defence.

Team News

Athlone Town AFC come into the game with a couple of injury concerns. Chloe Singleton is a doubt having missed training this week and Ciara Glackin is ruled out for a couple of months.

Galway United are expected to have a full squad to choose from.

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 Kerryanne Browne is one to watch for the season ahead and she showed against Peamount in the Presidents Cup what she is capable of. Athlone Town fans can expect to see Kerry excel in the Athlone jersey this season.

For Galway United Eve Dossen is a superb talent and recently returned from an international camp with Ireland u19’s. She can play in midfield or defence and will have a great League of Ireland career ahead of her.

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

Referee Team
Referee: Michael Connolly
1st Assistant Referee: Kate O’Brien
2nd Assistant Referee: John Hanney
4th Official: Declan Toland

Athlone Town AFC are the President’s Cup Champions again. FAI Cup Winners Athlone beat League Champions Peamount United 3-0 in front of a large crowd today in Athlone Town Stadium.

The weather was a factor in the build-up, but it had cleared up just in time before kick-off. Athlone Town were quicker out of the blocks and the first real chance of the game fell to Kate Slevin who, after some good work on the left-hand side by Madison Gibson, ran onto the cross which wasn’t dealt with by Peamount but before Slevin could connect with the shot it was cleared well by Dearbhaile Beirne.

Athlone started the brighter of the two teams and Casey Howe was a wonderful option for the Athlone midfielders when they were in possession with her playing off the shoulder of the Peamount defenders and her ability to run in behind. In the 17^th minute Howe latched onto a through ball by Gibson and ran towards goal but not for the first time in the game Beirne put in a tremendous tackle to halt Howe and the ball went out for a corner.

Peamount United grew stronger as the half progressed and 23 minutes in Jesi Rossman was caught in possession by Lauryn O’Callaghan just outside the 18-yard box and laid the ball to Ellen Dolan who found Doyle in space but her shot was well saved by Katie Keane in the Athlone goal. Both teams had some chances before the break but as the whistle went it was level as the teams left the field.

The second half began like the first with Athlone looking the brighter of the two teams and Peamount growing as the game went on but teams trading chances, but in the 70^th minute of the game Athlone had the best chance of the game so far as Gibson was fouled in the box by O’Callaghan and referee Ray Mathews pointed to the spot. Gibson stepped up but her penalty was saved brilliantly by Peas keeper Niamh Reid Burke to keep the score level.

Things changed for the better for Athlone after this as they began to drive at the Peamount back line. In the 74^th minute, Laurie Ryan confused herself with Ronaldhino and picked up the ball in midfield and went on a mazy run but unfortunately it ended up with a goal kick for Peamount.

Athlone pushed on at this stage and finally got the breakthrough in the 77^th minute with a great run by Molloy down the right hand side and the cut back to Kellie Brennan who crossed and found the unmarked Chloe Singleton who turned the ball home to put ‘The Town’ 1-0 up.

On the 83^rd minute, things got better for Athlone from a Gibson corner. The ball dropped to Singleton who doubled her and Athlone’s tally from 6 yards out. Casey Howe was excellent all night and finally got her reward with 4 minutes to go where she got ahead of the defender and turned home a Gibson cross to make it 3-0 to Athlone.

Peamount thought they had gotten a consolation goal in additional time when Ellen Dolan shot from outside the eighteen yard box and pulled a word class save out of Katie Keane who was determined to hang onto her clean sheet.

It was all over after that and Athlone Town will be happy with the performance and a nice end to preseason training. Today’s win means that The Town women’s team have added three trophies to their Honours List in just over twelve months.

Athlone Town AFC: Katie Keane, Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Shauna Brennan, Jesi Lynne Rossman, Kate Slevin (Jenaya Robertson 65’), Casey Howe, Kerryanne Brown (Chloe Singleton 65’), Laurie Ryan, Roisin Molloy (Gillian Keenan 83’), Madison Gibson   

Unused Substitutes: Amy Mahon, Isabel Ryan, Antea Guvo, Mary Philips, Ciara O’Neill, Abby Carchio

Bookings: None

Attendance: 1,152

AthloneTownAFC.ie Player of The Match: Casey Howe

President’s Cup Final: Athlone Town AFC v Peamount United

Date: March 2nd 2024

Kick-off: 5pm

Venue: Athlone Town Stadium

Preseason preparations complete, the curtain raiser for the 2024 season is just days away. Peamount United, 2023 League Champions by some distance play Athlone Town AFC, 2023 Cup Champions in Athlone in what is sure to be a great day.

Ciaran Kilduff stated, “It’s great to have the work done. We’ve had a first pre-season as a group and it’s great to have this game to look forward to”. “The girls are looking forward to it, but we are coming up against a great side. They had the league wrapped up really early last year and they will be really up for it too.” he added.

Team News

Athlone Town AFC come into the game with a couple of injury concerns. Chloe Singleton, Madison Gibson and Jenaya Robertson are all a doubt having missed training last week and Ciara Glackin is ruled out for another week or two.

Peamount United seen Tara O’Hanlon leave in the off season but recruited well and added the exciting Erica Burke and Ciara Maher to the squad for the coming campaign. Congratulations to Erin McLaughlin and Jess Fitzgerald who were both part of the Irish Camp this week. Well done to both.

Past Encounters

Athlone Town-Peamount have had some entertaining games but Athlone have only ever managed to beat them once. Peamount were free scoring against Athlone last season so the girls will have a tough task to keep them at bay. That being said this should be and exciting encounter offering plenty of goals.

Key Players to Watch

For Athlone Town AFC Casey Howe has gotten better as preseason went on and she will be looking to get her name on the score sheet for 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.

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

Referee Team
Referee: Ray Matthews
1st Assistant Referee: Sean Stephens
2nd Assistant Referee: Ryan Maher
4th Official: Michael Connolly