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Tag: League of Ireland

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 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