Athlone Town Qualify for All-Ireland Futsal Competition

Athlone Town u20’s have qualified for the All-Ireland 5 a-side Futsal Tournament after finishing top of their group in the Connacht qualifying stage at the National University of Ireland, Galway last Sunday afternoon. In a group of 3, up first for Athlone Town was Galway United, who had suffered a heavy defeat in their opening game with Salthill Devon. Athlone came out on top with a comprehensive 9-3 victory despite playing a part of the match with just 4 players after their ‘keeper was sent off for two bookable offences. Kevin Horan bagged a hat-trick; Stephen Relihan got himself a brace while Broughall, Stack, Gilsenan and Goggins also added their names to the score sheet.

In the deciding fixture in the group, Athlone came up against a much fancied Salthill side but the Midlands outfit raced into a 3-0 lead with a hat-trick from James Goggins. Despite a late rally from Salthill, the Lissywoolen outfit held on for a 3-2 victory to advance to the All-Ireland Stage.

Speaking after the competition, manager Antony Sherlock spoke of his delight at seeing his side go through.

“We’re delighted to be going through. It was a good experience for the lads today. This is the first time these players have played Futsal so for them to come out of a strong qualifying group is a good achievement. The Futsal is good for working on your technique and first touch and is used a lot on the continent so it’s good to see it being brought in over here. We’ll look forward to the next stage now and hopefully we’ll give it a right good go.”

Meanwhile, Athlone Town’s first team were in action last Saturday evening as they drew 1-1 against Drogheda United at United Park in their last Friendly before facing Bray in the Leinster Senior Cup this coming Thursday. In truth Athlone Town could have raced into a 3-0 lead in the first half with Richie O’Hanlon having two glorious chances to open the scoring go a begging, while former Drogheda striker Robbie Farrell missed a penalty kick after he was fouled in the area. Drogheda themselves had chances as the half went on and struck the post on two separate occasions as well as forcing Chris Bennion into a good save down to his right just shy of the half time whistle. Drogheda then opened the scoring shortly after the start of the second half but substitute striker Shane Dolan came on to equalise with a good finish after capitalising on a mix-up in the Drogheda defence.

Athlone Town Futsal Squad:
Scott Gaynor
Ronan Stack ©
Garvan Broughall
Padraig Gilsenan
James Goggins
Stephen Relihan
Kevin Horan

Athlone Town Team v Drogheda:
Chris Bennion
Mark Nolan
Brian McCarthy
Des Hope
Eoghan O’Shea (Kevin Williamson)
Ritchie O’Hanlon (Niall Scullion)
Gareth Kenna (Stephen Place)
Kevin Quinn (Gordon Watson)
Tom O’Halloran (Robbie Benson)
Robbie Farrell (Shane Dolan)
Noel McGee (Austin Skelly)