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Over The Years

Athlone Town Travel To Champions Looking To Reignite Their Own Promotion Hopes

Friday, 8 October 2021 13:25

Conor Barry is the only injury concern.

Every week appears to be make or break for Athlone Town at this stage of the season but that isn't an exaggeration. 

They've recovered well from a setback against Wexford a couple of games ago to record a victory over ten-man Cabinteely courtesy of a late Kurtis Byrne strike a week ago and they'll be hoping that Shelbourne have spent the week celebrating their return to the Premier Division next season. 

The North Dublin side finalised an immediate return to top tier football last weekend with a win over Treaty United but will be without first choice left back Kameron Ledwidge who is away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland U-21s. 

Gerardo Bruna and JJ Lunney are longer term absentees and aren't expected to feature tonight. 

Speaking to Shelbourne's official website, boss Ian Morris says his charges want to push on over the last three games:

“We’ll be playing as if nothing is done yet and I’m sure the players will be looking to impress. There’s three big games left to play. We want to impress our fans. The atmosphere was electric on Friday and we’re hoping it’s going to be same again.

“We want to score goals, keep clean sheets and training this week has been no different to any other week,” 

Speaking of Athlone specifically he said:

“They’ve got real pace and really can give people a game. They know they need to win the game so it will be a good game,” 

He's not wrong as Paul Doolin knows that he will need to take at least seven points from games against Shelbourne, Treaty United and Cobh Ramblers to have a decent chance of overhauling Bray and sneaking into the last playoff position. 

Doolin has picked up nine points from a possible 15 since replacing Adrian Carberry in August. 

If Athlone fail to make the post-season then they can't look beyond their record of one win, one draw and one defeat from three games against Wexford as a potential reason. 

The South East club have won only five games all season and three of those have been in the last three weeks. 

Conor Barry is out injured this evening for Athlone but they have a clean bill of health besides. 

Consistency has been a constant issue since the opening six games of the season and if they can win tonight, it'll be the first time since successive wins in April, that the Westmeath side have managed to take six points from a possible six. 

Kick-off in Tolka Park is at 7:45pm. 

Referee: Oliver Moran
Assistant 1: Brian Fenlon
Assistant 2: David Berry
Fourth Official: Gavin Colfer

Athlone Town remaining fixtures:

  • Shelbourne v Athlone Town
  • Treaty United v Athlone Town
  • Athlone Town v Cobh Ramblers

Bray Wanderers remaining fixtures:

  • Galway United v Bray Wanderers
  • Bray Wanderers v Cabinteely 
  • Wexford v Bray Wanderers

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