It was a difficult night on Leeside.
Athlone Town endured a difficult night in the nation's second city as three first half goals put them to the sword against Cork.
Kurtis Byrne pulled one back early into the second half but it ultimately proved to be nothing more than a consolation in a 3-1 defeat.
The result will give much food for thought to Doolin, who wasted no time in making a substitution after twenty minutes following the pours defending of the opening period.
He made another change at the break introducing Stephen Meaney for Lee Duffy up top.
𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘
— Athlone Town AFC (@AthloneTownAFC) September 3, 2021
Defeat in Cork. #ATAFC pic.twitter.com/pGevlpI1w4
The result leaves the midlanders still eight points outside a playoff position.
Bray's loss in a seven goal thriller against UCD meaning the gap to the post season has not grown for now.
They do fall behind their conquerers from last night, Colin Healy's resurgent Cork City are now up to 6th in the SSE Airtricity First Division table.
Next up for Athlone Town is another difficult away trip to Bray, which now looks like a must win if they're to have any hope of making the top six.
Westmeath Manager Expects Two Point Onslaught In Wexford
Patchy Laois Wrap League Campaign Against Table Topping Down
Laois And Offaly Begin Minor Hurling Campaign
"Special Doesn't Do These Lads Justice"
Upwardly Mobile Athlone Take On Treaty
Ireland Name Nine New Caps For Six Nations Squad
Panthers Promotion Hopes Dashed On Final Weekend
Colaiste Mhuire Mullingar: All Ireland Champions
Dublin Sink Offaly In Camogie
Lowry Looks On Shaky Ground Since Cognizant Collapse
"Unhappy" Laois Leave Fermanagh With Some Regret
Laois Ladies Football Legend Honoured By County Council
Westmeath School Primed For All Ireland Final Shot
Offaly Relegated After Cavan Defeat
Offaly And Longford Chase Semi-Final Spot In Division Four
Gold Cup Takes Centre Stage On Final Day Of Cheltenham
Offaly TD Demands Stronger Ticket Touting Laws As Six Nations Prices Hit €3k
Offaly Travel To Dublin For Fourth Round Of National Camogie League
Athlone Town Get Title Defence Underway Tomorrow