Pre-Match Preview: Finn Harps vs Athlone Town AFC

Date: Monday 3^rd of June 2024

Kick-off: 5pm

Venue: Finn Park, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this much-anticipated match.

Athlone come into this game following a quick turnaround, having played Cork City on Friday. 

Athlone town are the inform team in the division, but this fixture is one they would prefer to have when they have a full squad to pick from. This bank holiday weekend could shape the chase for the playoffs with Cork (1^st) playing UCD (2^nd) and Athlone (3^rd) playing Finn Harps (4^th) with just two points between second and fourth there isn’t much to separate the three teams, it must also be pointed out that both Wexford and Bray are just two points behind 4^th position so they will be waiting to pounce on any slip from the three teams ahead.

Harps come into the game having bounced back from a defeat to Kerry by beating Wexford in their last game.

Athlone beat run away league leaders Cork City last time out and this fixture will have seen them play the first, second and fourth place teams in their last three fixtures.

Having played Harps twice, you can read about both fixtures here; Away Game Home Game, both team have won at home so its all pointing to a difficult visit to Ballybofey for Dario’s side.

Coming into the game AthloneTownAFC.ie spoke to manager Dario Castelo and he gave his thoughts on the fixture.

“This group is brilliant they work hard for one another; we must continue with the same mentality. It’s another important game Monday, but to compete in this league they are all important games. we have a long trip ahead and must go and play well and work together to try and get a result”.

Team News

Athlone Town AFC have it seems now an injury crisis. These three games in eight days couldn’t have come at a worse time for the squad. Enda Minogue struggled during the game Friday and had missed training last week he is a big doubt, Brian Torre picked up a knock and he’s a doubt. Carl Mujaguzi and Mathew Leal are ruled out having both gotten injured in the Cork fixture. Aaron Connolly is suspended. German Fuentes Rodriguez is away on international duty, so he misses the next two games. Andrew Stuart Trainor is starting exams.

Past Encounters

Athlone and Harps have played twice this year the first playing out as a 2-0 victory for Harps in Ballybofey. The return fixture in Athlone Town Stadium was a happier time for the Town as they finished 1-0 winners thanks to a Dean Ebbe goal

Key Players to Watch

For Athlone Town AFC,Armado Oakley has been great on his return to fitness and has looked really exciting so far since arriving at the club

Finn Harps forward Success Edogun who is well known to Athlone Town fans has developed well since he left Athlone and will be hoping to his three goals this season.

Match Tickets

Tickets for the game can be purchased here.

Follow the Athlone Town AFC channel on WhatsApp: Click Here for The WhatsApp Channel

Live Coverage:

The game will be streamed live on LOITV at the below link. Individual match passes can be purchased for €5 or viewers can purchase a season pass which will give them access to all games across the League of Ireland.

FINN HARPS V ATHLONE TOWN (loitv.ie)

Referee Team
Referee: Daryl Carolan   
1st Assistant Referee: Richard Storey 
2nd Assistant Referee: Philip Harrison
4th Official: Glen Geraghty

Athlone Win Against League Leaders

High Flying Cork City were the visitors on the 31^st of May 2024 where Athlone were victorious in a 1-0 win in Athlone Town Stadium.

Dario made two changes following his side’s 2–2 draw at home to UCD last Friday, with Jamar Campion-Hinds replacing Oisin Duffy, and Matthew Leal replace the suspended Daniel McKenna. Dario plans changed as Mathew was seen limping in during the warmup and this meant Noah Van Geenen returned to the starting lineup for the first time in a number of weeks following a long spell out with injury.

Both teams started well with nice passages of possession, but it was Cork who had the first real chance of the game in the 8^th minute. A nice bit of play down the right-hand side saw Nevin get a cross in it was laid off to Brookwell to get the strike away and it was almost turned in by Jack Doherty.

Aaron Connolly picked up a yellow Card in the 12^th minute of the game which rules him out of Monday’s trip to Finn Harps.

In the 18^th minute the ball was bouncing around from team to team in the centre of the pitch. Dean Ebbe won a header just inside the Cork City half and found Carl Mujaguzi who hits it into space on the right hand side giving Jamar something to chase and a chance to run at the Cork Defence. Jamar took on McLaughlin and his cross come shot went in over the Keeper’s head at the back post putting Athlone 1-0 up.

Cork had the ball in the back of the net themselves in the 30^th minute. A well worked freekick from the visitors saw a ball whipped in left footed to the head of Charlie Lyons who headed it past Enda Minogue in the Athlone goal but it was ruled out as the offside flag went up.

The visitors had a great chance to draw level in the 38^th minute when Jack Doherty won a header from a long clearance. It broke to Coffey, who found Cian Murphy on the right wing who took on Dylan Hand and managed to get his cross into Doherty, but he couldn’t find the back of the net. It was a great chance and Doherty will feel he probably could have drawn his side level.

The sides entered the break with the hosts 1–0 to the good, with Athlone playing all the football in the first half.

The second half City were stepping on and pressing Athlone trying to get back into the game. There was one change at half time as Oisin Duffy replaced Carl Mujaguzi.

In the 52nd minute, Barry Coffey picked out Cian Murphy with an accurate cross into the box from the right-hand side, but the striker’s glancing header was straight at Enda who saved easily.

A lovely move by Athlone moments after resulted in a strong appeal for a penalty but the referee waved play on. A long ball forward by Jack Doherty was intercepted by Oakley, who looked to go to the front himself and his ball was won by Charlie Lyons who looked to step into midfield. He was closed quicky by Dean Ebbe who managed to win possession back for his side with the ball breaking to Oakley and Athlone passed the ball well from Duffy to Connolly, to Tetteh who played in Duffy behind and a coming together between him and City’s Evan McLaughlin had the home fans on their feet looking for a penalty, but it was not to be.

Cork were reduced to ten men for the last twenty minutes when Evan McLaughlin was shown a second yellow card after he appeared to strike Oisin Duffy as he tried to collect the ball from the Athlone captain.

Cork thought they had drawn level in the 71^st minute when Charlie Lyons chipped the ball over the out-rushing Enda Minogue but somehow Brian Torre cleared the ball off the line and kept the hosts 1-0 up. A great bit of defending by Torre.

Athlone were really showing the advantage of the extra player for the last few minutes of the game. The Cork goalkeeper Wade made some very impressive saves to keep his side in the game, but Athlone finished the stronger of the two teams and held on to win the game 1-0.

Following match day seventeen sees Athlone stay third on thirty points and Cork stay way out on front with thirty-nine points.

Unfortunately for Athlone, Aaron Connolly picked up a yellow card to rule him out of the Harps game.

Athlone Town AFC: Enda Minogue, German Fuentes Rodriguez, Noah Van Geenen, Dylan Hand, Aaron Connolly ©, Dean Ebbe, Jamar Campion-Hinds (Shane Forbes 95’), Carl Mujaguzi (Oisin, Duffy 46’), Amardo Oakley, Brian Torre (Jarlath Jones 92’), Gideon Tetteh (Ruben Candal 93’)

Unused Substitutes: Shaun O Donnell, Gabriel Padilla, Divine Izekor, Roscoe Rubinstein, (Matthew Leal injured in the warmup)

Bookings: Connolly (13), Van Geenen (64), Ebbe (70), Duffy (71), Oakley (97)

Attendance: 852

AthloneTownAFC.ie Man of The Match: Brian Torre

Date: 31^st of May 2024
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Venue: Athlone Town Stadium

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this much-anticipated match.

Both teams come into this game having won two of their last five fixtures. Athlone’s last defeat came at the hands of Bray Wanderers, but two draws from winning positions in the last two games has Athlone fans worrying. 

Athlone Town are the in-form team behind Cork and they sit in third place on twenty-seven points. Cork won the last time we played (Click Here To Read About It) but it was the start of a turnaround in form for Athlone. Athlone are twelve points behind Cork and this is the last game in the second round of fixtures, so a win would put us in a good position at the half way point.

Coming into the game, AthloneTownAFC.ie spoke to manager Dario Castelo and he gave his thoughts on the fixture.

“We played a great side in UCD and now we play another good team in Cork. We started well but it was a difficult game, this week we know if we play how we can, we can create problems for any team.”

Team News

Athlone Town AFC have a couple of injury concerns, Enda Minogue picked up a knock during the game last week and a missed training so is a doubt. Noah Van Geenen is being eased back to play and Dan McKenna is suspended.

Past Encounters
Athlone and Cork have only played 19 times since 2010 and on paper it doesn’t look good from an Athlone perspective.  Athlone have only won three of those 19 games and conceded 50 goals, so it is a tough task for the home side. On a positive note, we were unlucky not to get a point in Turners Cross earlier in the season and beat them the last time we played in Athlone Town Stadium, albeit Cork had already won the league at that point.

Key Players to Watch

For Athlone Town AFC, Brian Torre has been getting better every week, he is good on the ball going forward and his positioning is top class. Its only a matter of time before he gets his first goal for the club.

Cork City Jack Doherty is on the return from injury and he has five goals already this season is a midfielder that can hurt the home side if allowed time on the ball.

Match Tickets
Tickets for the game can be purchased by clicking here.
Adults €15 Concessions €10 Children €5

Follow the Athlone Town AFC channel on WhatsApp: Click Here for The WhatsApp Channel

Live Coverage:
The game will be streamed live on LOITV at the below link. Individual match passes can be purchased for €5 or viewers can purchase a season pass which will give them access to all games across the League of Ireland.

ATHLONE TOWN V CORK CITY (loitv.ie)

Referee Team
Referee: Eoghan O Shea   
1st Assistant Referee: Niall McLoughlin 
2nd Assistant Referee: Christopher Daly
4th Official: Marc Lynch

Athlone Extend Unbeaten Home Run with Draw

UCD were the visitors on the 24^th of May 2024 playing out a 2-2 draw in Athlone Town Stadium.

Dario named an unchanged side from the team that drew with Longford. Ruban Candal returned to the bench having missed out last week due to injury.

Athlone started brightly and we didn’t have to wait long for the first goal, Athlone were playing out from the back and Oisin Duffy found Amardo Oakley on the right-hand side, he cut the ball back inside to Carl Mujaguzi. His short pass was into the feet of Dean Ebbe who was at the edge of the area. He played back to Mujaguzi who chipped it towards the far post finding Gideon Tetteh who made no mistake from a tight angle. The hosts were one nil up.

Brian Torre had Athlone hearts in their mouths in the 16^th minute when he got his head to a UCD cross, and it just missed the Athlone goal and went out for a corner but after the game Brian said to AthloneTownAFC.ie that he knew what he was doing.

Athlone lead was doubled in the 20^th minute when Torre played the ball down the line to Tetteh who, with a world class bit of skill, let the ball hit his foot and it skipped over Ronan Finn and into space for Tetteh to run onto he ran into the box and took his time and pulled a ball back to Aaron Connolly, his placed shot took a deflection but ended up in the back of the net. 2-0 to the hosts.

In the 25^th minute the Students got one back, Ronan Finn was in possession on the right-hand side, he played the ball inside to Behan who played the ball across to Jake Doyle. Doyle fashioned some space and got the shot away just inside the box, Enda Minogue made a brilliant save down to his right but to his horror his save fell to the feet of Michael McCullagh who reacted quicker than the Athlone defence and slotted home from 2 yards to pull the score back to 2-1.

From a corner shortly after the goal, a deep cross to the back post was won by Michael McCullagh who got his shot towards the goal but never really threatened.

UCD were really coming into the game and in the 27^th minute a Ciaran Behan effort from about 25 yards rattled the crossbar, a great effort from Behan. The students were really starting to show their quality.

Just before the break, Finn found Behan just inside the box and he crossed low after taking on Dylan Hand but it was intercepted by German and Athlone managed to clear the ball.

Athlone started the brighter of the two teams, but UCD grew into the game as it went on, but it was the hosts that lead at the break 2-1.

UCD weren’t in the mood to wait around for the second half they were out seven minutes before Athlone and the Referees. The second half started as the first half finished with UCD holding possession but the first real chance of the second half went to Athlone when the ball broke to the right-hand side. Amardo Oakley ran at the UCD defence, he went down the line and found his way to the end line but was marshalled out of play by Sean Brennan.

We had to wait for the 72^nd minute for UCD’s first real shot of the second half. They were enjoying a lot of possession but getting it hard to break down the Athlone defence. Sean Brennan played a brilliant ball forward behind the Athlone defence with two UCD players there. Both Paker and Raggett bearing down on goal, Raggett got the shot away and it clipped the outside post – a real let off for Athlone, but it was all UCD so far in the second half.

We didn’t have to wait long after that for UCD to equalise, in the 79^th minute. A Donal Higgins free kick just inside the Athlone half was floated to the back of the box. It was cleared by German but only as far as Michael McCullagh who clipped the ball to the back post, and it was headed home by Raggett who climbed higher than the Athlone defender.

Things boiled over in the 85^th minute when a UCD corner was caught by Enda Minogue but he was fouled by Eanna Clancy and the referee gave a free out. Clancy protested with Minogue and there was a bit of a shemozzle in the box and a couple of yellow cards later we got back under way.

Athlone finished the stronger of the two teams and had a chance to win the game in 93^rd minute Brian Torre done brilliantly on the left wing and got into the box. He stabbed at the ball but couldn’t direct his shot goalward. That was all and it was points shared 2-2.

Following match day seventeen sees Athlone stay third on twenty-seven points and UCD stay second on twenty-nine points.

Unfortunately for Athlone, Daniel McKenna picked up a 5^th yellow card to rule him out of the Cork Game. Athlone extend their unbeaten run to eight games and remain unbeaten at home this season.

Athlone Town AFC: Enda Minogue, German Fuentes Rodriguez, Daniel McKenna, Dylan Hand, Aaron Connolly, Dean Ebbe, Carl Mujaguzi (Matthew Leal 45’), Amardo Oakley (Jamar Campion-Hinds 77’), Oisin Duffy ©, Brian Torre, Gideon Tetteh (Ruben Candal 88’)

Unused Substitutes: Andrew Stuart Trainor, Jarlath Jones, Noah Van Geenen, Gabriel Padilla, Divine Izekor, Roscoe Rubinstein

Bookings: Connolly (68), McKenna (77), Roderiguez (87), Hand (87)

Attendance: 541

AthloneTownAFC.ie Man of The Match: Gideon Tetteh

Date: 24^th of May 2024
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Venue: Athlone Town Stadium

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this much-anticipated match.

Both teams come into this game having won three of their last five fixtures. Athlone’s last defeat came at the hands of Bray Wanderers, but the draw in Longford left a sour taste after creating the better of the chances.

Athlone town are the in-form team behind Cork and they sit in third place on twenty-six points. UCD battered Athlone in the reverse fixture and come into the game just behind Athlone in the form table but ahead in the standings they sit second on twenty-eight points. While Cork City sit way out in front, this is a must win game for both teams.

Coming into the game, AthloneTownAFC.ie spoke to manager Dario Castelo and he gave his thoughts on the fixture.

“We are not happy after the last game. We created enough chances but didn’t kill the game off. We have a very important but difficult game this week. We must continue to work hard for each other and this special club.”

Team News

Athlone Town AFC have a couple of injury concerns, Ruben Candal sat out last week and is back in training. Noah Van Geenen is being eased back to play.

Past Encounters
UCD haven’t lost to Athlone since 2015 when Athlone beat them 2-1 having been relegated back to the first division. Philly Gorman scored a brace on the day that included a late winner in the 93rd minute.

Key Players to Watch

For Athlone Town AFC, Dan McKenna has been an integral part of this team, he brings out the best in players around him and enjoys breaking up play. He loves a tackle and has made over 55 appearances for the club.

UCD Ciaran Behan scored in the reverse fixture and he has six goals already this season which is an excellent return for young midfielder.

Match Tickets
Tickets for the game can be purchased by clicking here.
Adults €15 Concessions €10 Children €5

Follow the Athlone Town AFC channel on WhatsApp: Click Here for The WhatsApp Channel

Live Coverage:

The game will be streamed live on LOITV at the below link. Individual match passes can be purchased for €5 or viewers can purchase a season pass which will give them access to all games across the League of Ireland.

ATHLONE TOWN V UCD (loitv.ie)

Referee Team
Referee: Daniel Murphy   
1st Assistant Referee: Emmett Dynan 
2nd Assistant Referee: Darren Corcoran
4th Official: Damien MacGraith

Athlone made the short trip to Longford on the 18th of May 2024 playing out a 1-1 draw against Longford.

Dario made three changes to the team that beat Bray with German Fuentes Rodriguez and Aaron Connolly returning after suspension, and Oisin Duffy who was struggling with injuries in recent weeks returning to captain the side.

Both teams started well and enjoyed spells of possession. Athlone created the first real chance of the game when in the 10th minute, Ross Fay was caught in possession by Gideon Tetteh who played a lovely pass to Dean Ebbe who had a bit of time and space and he turned well but his shot was always going over the bar.

Athlone had another shot shortly after when an Enda Minogue clearance was flicked on by Ebbe to Amardo Oakley who ran at goal but his shot was narrowly over.

Longford were next to test the Athlone Defence when from a Conor Crowley free kick out on the right-hand side his cross found the head of Francis Campbell who had a lot of work to do but couldn’t his shot on target, going narrowly past the post. It was a quiet enough first half and we went in at the break scoreless.

Longford started the second half as the brighter of the two teams, they enjoyed a spell of possession which saw Shane Elworthy run at the Athlone defence and his scooped pass over the defence found Jordan Adeyemo but his header was on target but lacked the power to threaten Enda Minogue’s goal.

In the 55th minute Athlone had a throw-in just inside the Longford half, Torre found Dylan Hand, who played it out wide to captain Oisin Duffy. His forward ball found Oakley who turned brilliantly, and made his way into the Longford Town box, he cut the ball back to Gideon Tetteh who’s placed shot wrong footed Jack Brady to put the visitors 1-0 up.

Brian Torre had a corner from the right in the 63rd minute. His cross wasn’t fully cleared by the Longford defence and Dylan Hand found Carl Mujaguzi, but his header was narrowly over. Fair play to the young Longford fan who was keeping Torre company and the crowd entertained with his antics.

It could have been two nil in the 68th minute when a poor clearance by Brady in the Longford goal was only as far as Mujaguzi who crossed deep to Aaron Connolly who headed back across goal to Ebbe who laid it off to Tetteh who shot low from 12 yards but Brady made up for his mistake with a wonderful save down low to his right to keep the score 1-0.
Oisin Hand somehow in the 88th minute stopped Jamal Ibrahim scoring when he headed the ball off the line, Athlone would come to regret not being able to finish these chances, as Longford went down the other end of the pitch and equalised.

Guilherme Rego Priosti chipped a ball to the left-hand side of the box and Dean O Shea headed the ball across the goal to Emmanuel James who made no mistake from 6 yards. It was a real hammer blow for Athlone who had done enough to take home the three points. It finished 1-1 and a point a piece for both teams.

Following match day fourteen sees Athlone stay third on twenty-six points and Longford stay ninth on eleven points.

Athlone Town AFC: Enda Minogue, German Fuentes Rodriguez, Daniel McKenna, Dylan Hand, Aaron Connolly, Dean Ebbe, Carl Mujaguzi (Matthew Leal 79’), Amardo Oakley (Jamar Campion-Hinds 67’), Oisin Duffy ©, Brian Torre (Jarlath Jones 92’), Gideon Tetteh (Jamal Ibrahim 79’)

Unused Substitutes: Andrew Stuart Trainor, Noah Van Geenen, Divine Izekor, Roscoe Rubinstein, Ciaran Nolan

Bookings: McKenna (91)

Attendance: 450

AthloneTownAFC.ie Man of The Match: Gideon Tetteh

Date: 18^th of May 2024
Kick-off: 7.30pm
Venue: Bishopsgate

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this much-anticipated match.

‘El Classico’ seldom disappoints. Last time out, Athlone seemed to be dead and buried at half time and then somehow snatched a draw in the second half. Click here to read about the last game between the clubs.

Longford moved off the foot of the table with victory on Monday night against Treaty United. Athlone have been in good form recently but there away form is still not where they would like.

Coming into the game, AthloneTownAFC.ie spoke to manager Dario Castelo and he gave his thoughts on the fixture.

“We are taking each game as it comes. We know we are in a difficult game. Everyone worked well together to get the 3 points Friday and we need to keep untied to get a result.”

Team News

Athlone Town AFC have a couple of injury concerns, Noah Van Geenen is still ruled out. Oisin Duffy is still returning to play gradually, both German and Aaron Connolly return from suspension.

Past Encounters

El Classico seldom fails to entertain, from Pierrot announcing himself last year in style and then to his wonderful goal in Longford last year in added time to settle the tie. A draw earlier this year following a poor first half performance from Athlone. It is a difficult game to call a draw is likely too as the last two league games between these clubs they couldn’t be separated.

Key Players to Watch

For Athlone Town AFC, Dean Ebbe has fired his way to the top of the scoring charts this season and with five goals in his last four games we hope he can find the back of the net in Longford.

Longford Town Luke Wade-Slater brings a wealth of experience to their club, and he has played every minute of their last thirteen games. He is one of the permanent fixtures of the Longford Town team this season, having joined from Drogheda United in the transfer window.

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

Follow the Athlone Town AFC channel on WhatsApp: Click Here for The WhatsApp Channel

Live Coverage: The game will be streamed live on LOITV at the below link. Individual match passes can be purchased for €5 or viewers can purchase a season pass which will give them access to all games across the League of Ireland.

LONGFORD TOWN V ATHLONE TOWN (loitv.ie)

Referee Team
Referee: Aaron O’Dowd   
1st Assistant Referee: Conor Harkin 
2nd Assistant Referee: Keenan Deering
4th Official: Michael Connolly