Match Preview: Glentoran Women vs Athlone Town AFC

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