Match Preview: Dundalk FC (A)
Date: 14th February 2025
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Venue: Oriel Park (Dundalk)
Athlone Town will begin their season tomorrow night with a visit to league favourites Dundalk FC. Athlone Town will be back in their Blue and Black strip again this year. It has been 11 years since these teams played in a league game. Following last season’s relegation, Dundalk will aim to establish an early lead. There will be some familiar faces in the Dundalk lineup, including last season’s top scorer Dean Ebbe, goalkeeper Enda Minogue, and midfielder Leo Gaxa, who previously played for Athlone but now joins Ciaran Kilduff’s team.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this week’s match.
Athlone Town have had a good preseason behind them and tested themselves against Premier Division teams for the most part. Dario recruited well and managed to keep a lot of his squad together. They have really strengthened in the off-season and will be looking to be difficult to beat this season.
Dundalk have a new look team for the First Division campaign, but new manager Ciaran Kilduff was very shrewd in his acquisitions. They will be very difficult to take points off this year and are favourites for a reason, as they look to bounce back at the first time of asking.
Team News
Athlone Town AFC will be without Dan McKenna who is sidelined with an injury. Other than that Dario has a full squad to choose from.
Past Encounters
There aren’t too many matches between these clubs to review over that last few years. The last player to score for Athlone Town against Dundalk was Noel McGee when he scored two to grab a draw all the way back in 2008. There were three Premier Division games in 2014 which saw Dundalk win all three. Finally, there was a cup game in 2020 that we don’t want to talk about.
Key Players to Watch
Dundalk Dean Ebbe was great last season with Athlone. He will hope to continue his good form and help Dundalk return to the topflight.
Athlone Town AFC forward Dean Williams has returned to the club where he had a brief loan spell in 2019. He is a quick striker will be hoping to rediscover his goalscoring habit with Athlone.
Match Tickets
Tickets for the game can be purchased by clicking here.
Referee Team
Referee Marc Lynch
1st Assistant Referee: Shane O Brien
2nd Assistant Referee: Darren Corcoran
4th Official: Gavin Colfer