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Tag: First Division

Men’s Match Preview: Cobh Ramblers (A)

Written on . Posted in Men's, News.

Date: March 21st 2025
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Venue: St. Colman’s Park

Athlone Town travel to St.Colman’s Park on Friday night to face Cobh Ramblers. Following a hard-earned three points against UCD, Athlone will be hoping to continue ascending the table with a victory on the road tonight.

Cobh, currently sitting in second place, two points behind Dundalk, will pose a stellar challenge to Dario Castelo’s side tonight. Similar to Athlone, tonight’s opponents are coming into this one, with the opportunity to claim three wins in a row, following victories against Finn Harps (2-1) and Longford Town (5-0).

What do you need to know

A victory for Dario’s men tonight will show a statement of intent for this campaign. A slow start to the season has been rectified, as we have claimed seven points from the last possible nine. Kyle Robinson’s goal secured all three points against the Students last week but it was the manner of the victory which was prudent throughout.

An onslaught of UCD attack in the final stages saw Dylan Hand and Cole Omorehiomwan dictate the penalty box with their strength and physicality, ensuring that their side claimed all three points. Declan McDaid scored his first goal of the season, with his left footed strike opening his account for the season. Athlone will come in to this game on the crest of the wave, yearning for another victory, as they continue to climb the table.

For the home side tonight, a Cian Murphy penalty sealed the victory in the closing stages of last week’s encounter with Finn Harps. Mick McDermott’s side are unbeaten this season, sitting two points behind league leaders Dundalk.

Key Players to Watch

Aaron Connolly has proved a maestro in midfield for the Midland’s side this season. His composure on the ball, dictating the play in the centre of the pitch has been instrumental to Athlone this season. His weight pass to the left wing set up Kyle Robinson’s winner last week but his exceptional work rate and determination makes him a crucial component in the Athlone machine in both defensive and attacking transistions.

Barry Coffey will be crucial for Cobh in the midfield battle. The attacking midfielder, formerly of Cork City, has three goals from five games this season. Having progressed through the youth ranks at Celtic, Coffey is pivotal to this Cobh team.

Match Information

Match Tickets for tonight can be purchased here

The game will be streamed live on LOITV here

Subscriptions for LOITV can be purchased here

Match Preview by Jake McLoughlin

Match Preview: UCD (H)

Written on . Posted in Men's, News.

Date: March 14th 2025
Kick-off: 7:45 pm
Venue: Athlone Town Stadium

Athlone Town look to claim back to back victories for the first time this season as they welcome UCD to Athlone Town Stadium for the fifth game of the 2025 campaign.

Gideon Tetteh’s sensational strike was enough to claim all three points away to Wexford FC last week, but the students will provide a difficult opposition for Dario Castelo’s side. Friday’s visitors have earned respectable draws against both Finn Harps and Cobh Ramblers in their last two games.

What do you need to know

A win for Athlone will be crucial in building confidence for the squad and gaining momentum in their push for promotion, following a lacklustre start to the season. The games against Longford Town and Wexford FC have allowed players to settle into a new system following an abundance of new signings in the Summer.

Cole Omorehiomwan has offered an outlet to target for set pieces, Ben Feeney’s physicality up front and Gideon Tetteh’s pace down the wing accumulate to forge a dangerous attacking threat.

JR Wilson, Dylan Hand and Kyle O’Connor have solidified defensively, with the first clean sheet of the season coming against Wexford, with Matt Connor’s heroics, making a total of seven saves in Ferrycarrig Park.

The Students come into this game with two draws and one loss having played three games. William O’Connor’s side will be eager to earn their first win of the campaign on Friday night.

Team News

It remains to be seen if Declan McDaid will be fit for this encounter, having trained during the week. Bastien Hery is available having featured off the bench last week. Dan Mckenna remains absent through injury.

Key Players to Watch

Ben Feeney has started the season strongly for Athlone. The 21-year-old has one goal this season and was instrumental in Tetteh’s winning strike last week. His hold up play is instrumental for Athlone going forward while his positional sense makes him a constant threat to the opposition’s defence.

Ronan Finn is a stalwart of Irish football with over 300 appearances for Shamrock Rovers he returned to UCD for the 2024 season. A creative midfielder, the 37-year-old provides experience for the Dublin side who have a tendency to rely on youth. 

Match Information

Tickets for the game can be purchased by clicking here.

The game will be streamed live on LOITV here.

Subscriptions for LOITV can be purchased here.

Match Report: Wexford FC (A)

Written on . Posted in Men's, News.

Athlone Town 1-0 Wexford FC

Athlone Town emerged victorious in Friday night’s clash against Wexford FC with Gideon Tetteh’s first half goal proving the difference.Stephen Elliot’s side came into this one expecting a victory following their strong start to the season, but Dario Castelo’s men had other ideas.

In an entertaining first half, Matt Connor was called into action early on in this one, making a superb save from a one on one chance against Wexford attacker, Ryan Kelly. Connor spread himself wide, stopping what seemed like a certain goal for the home side. Wexford controlled the game in the early stages, with some quick intricate passing, attempting to unlock the Athlone defence.

Mikie Rowe proved influential in the early stages, running at the heart of the Athlone defence. The winger saw Matt Connor parry an in-swinging cross into his path, but some resolute Athlone defending saw his shot deflected behind.

This game was being played at a ferocious pace on Friday night, with Kyle Robinson just aiming wide of the target, following a flick on from Cole Omorehiomwan, the away side began to grow in confidence with Gideon Tetteh and Ben Feeney keeping the Wexford defender alert.

Aaron Connolly continued to grow into this game as it progressed, controlling the centre of the pitch and breaking up any potential for a lucrative Wexford attack, through his physicality and sheer determination.

Omorehiomwan continued to be a menace for Wexford, with his height and strength proving to be a target for the threatening Athlone set pieces. The game ticked into the 30th minute all sqaure, with Athlone on constantly knocking on the door of the Paul Martin’s goal, forcing him into a well executed save from a low driven Ben Feeney shot from just inside the penalty area.

Tetteh Breaks the Deadlock (40′)

As the game entered the 40th minute, Athlone found themselves on the break, initiated by a searching ball from JR Wilson into the path of Ben Feeney, preceded by a Dylan Hand goal-saving clearance! Some neat control by Feeney saw the ball spread to the left wing finding Tetteh, who chopped in onto his right foot, beating two defenders before a tantalizing effort into the top corner of Martin’s goal, leaving the Wexford keeper with no chance.

The speed and detailed dribbling of the winger left the Wexford full-back’s for dead. A superb counter attack, started from our own penalty box, resulting in Tetteh scoring the first goal against Wexford FC this season. Half-time Athlone Town 1-0 Wexford FC

Brian Torre replaced Kyle O’Connor at the break. Tetteh continued the second half like he ended the first, the 19-year-old broke from a Wexford corner, displaying superb strength to hold off two Wexford defenders as Athlone pushed for another early on. The aformentioned duo of Hand and Omorehiomwan were instrumental in orchestrating the defence, leading from the back and proving gargantuan targets from set pieces.

A spectacular acrobatic effort saw Kyle Robinson hit the cross bar as Athlone continued to push for a second. It was evident the team had grown in confidence following the Midland’s derby and a constructive first-half display.

Omorehiomwan was certain he had found that second goal following a pinpoint cross from JR Wilson, but a strong hand from the Wexford keeper saw him flick the effort around the post following a diving save. Athlone continued to work hard both on and off the ball. Ben Feeney, Dean Williams and Billy Gilmore showing a strong work rate to defend the slender lead.

Dario introduced fresh legs in the 67th minute with Bastien Hery and Kailin Barlow introduced as Kyle Robinson and Billy Gilmore made way, with both exemplifying the work rate and tenacity throughout.

Attack was certainly the best form of defence as Athlone continued to push, denying the home side of any clear cut chances, until Jack Larkin forced another quick-reflex save from Matt Connor following some slick dribbling in the penalty area.

As the game approached the closing stages, Elliot’s men resulted to hoof ball as they attempted to find an equaliser, but it was to no avail. The game finished 1-0 with Tetteh’s torpedo proving the difference. That’s four points from the last two games, both away from home. It’s UCD up next for Athlone as they look to ascend the table.

Teams

Athlone: Athlone Town: Matthew Connor; JR Wilson, Dylan Hand, Cole Omorehiomwan, Kyle
O’Connor, Ben Feeney, Billy Gilmore, Aaron Connolly, Gideon Tetteh, Kyle Robinson, Dean
Williams. Substitutes used: Brian Torre, Bastien Hery, Kailin Barlow, Noe Baba, Agbo Babatunde

Wexford: Paul Martin, Darragh Dunne, Robbie McCourt, Josh Lyons, James Crawford, Mikie Rowe, Zayd Abada, Jack Larkin, Ryan Kelly, Kaylem Hartnett, Luke Kehir

Report by Jake McLoughlin

Match Preview: Wexford FC (A)

Written on . Posted in Men's, News.

Date: March 7th 2025
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Venue: Ferrycarrig Park

Athlone Town visit Ferrycarrig Park on Friday where they face Wexford FC, as Dario Castelo’s men look to build on the momentum from last week’s gallant display in the Midland’s Derby against Longford Town.

Wexford have started their 2025 campaign with intent, with two wins from their opening two games against Bray and UCD. Having beaten Wexford in the promotion play-off semi final last year, Athlone are more than capable of claiming all three points under the glaring lights of Ferrycarrig Park

What do you need to know?

Stephen Elliot’s men are in good form coming into this game, following some strong recruitment over the Winter break. A resolute centre-half partnership consisting of Robbie McCourt and Dean Larkin, has meant the home side are yet to concede this season. With Ben Feeney opening his 2025 account last week, he will be hoping to continue his goal scoring form and put one past former Waterford FC goalkeeper, Paul Martin.

Following a lacklustre start to the season, Athlone are eager to ascend the First Division table, building on last week’s performance in what proved to be a physical demanding game for both sides. The game served as a confidence booster to the side who are determined to claim their first victory of the campaign.

Team News

Dan McKenna and Bastien Hery are both working towards full fitness, while Adam Wixted’s shoulder injury means he misses out on Friday’s clash. Declan McDaid returned to training this week, but this game comes to soon for him. It is hoped he will return to the squad in advance of next week’s home fixture with UCD

Key Players to Watch

The aforementioned Ben Feeney proved a handful for the Longford Town defence at Bishopsgate last week. The 21-year-old will be yearning to display his goal-scoring prowess as the season continues, following his sides limp start to this year’s campaign.

For Wexford, Mikie Rowe may cause problems down the wing for the Athlone defence, with his two goals against Bray proving the difference for his team. The experienced winger, who scored 12 goals for Wexford last year is capable of playing out wide or in a central position and his versatility serves as an asset going forward for Stephen Elliot’s men.

Past Encounters

The sides met on six occasions in 2024 with Athlone winning twice, Wexford winning twice and two draws. The most notable victory of course was the play-off semi final first leg, with one goal seperating the sides after 180 minutes of football.

Live Coverage

Match tickets can be purchased here
The game will be streamed live on LOITV here
Subscriptions for LOITV can be purchased here

Preview by Jake McLoughlin
Photograph by Peter Naughton