Athlone Town A.F.C. Ladies Explained

Clubname:Athlone Town A.F.C. Ladies
Fullname:Athlone Town Association Football Club Ladies
Nickname:The Town
Founded:2020
Ground:Athlone Town Stadium, Lissywollen, Athlone
Capacity:5,000 (2,500 seated)
Manager:Ciarán Kilduff
League:Women's National League[1]
Season:2022
Position:2nd
Website:http://athlonetownafc.ie/
Pattern B1:_athlone18h
Leftarm1:0000FF
Body1:0000FF
Rightarm1:0000FF
Shorts1:000000
Socks1:000000
Pattern B2:_parkVIorange
Leftarm2:ff6600
Body2:ff6600
Rightarm2:ff6600
Shorts2:ff6600
Socks2:ff6600

Athlone Town Association Football Club Ladies (Irish: Cumann Peile Bhaile Áth Luain na mBan) is an Irish association football club based in Athlone. In February 2020 the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) announced the formation of the club as an expansion team for the upcoming 2020 Women's National League season. It is the women's section of Athlone Town. The senior team plays in the Women's National League while a junior team competes at Women's Under 17 National League level.

History

In July 2018 Athlone Town were among 11 founding clubs in a new Under-17 Women's National League.[2] In November 2019, the club's application to join the senior Women's National League for the following 2020 season was accepted.[3] The first match was originally scheduled for March 2020, however, the team was made to wait until 15 August 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland which delayed the start of the season.[4] The first game ended in an encouraging 1–0 defeat by Wexford Youths.[5] On 5 September 2020 the club secured their first goals and first win, beating fellow newcomers Treaty United 3–2 with goals from Katelyn Keogh, Paula Doran and Kellie Brennan.[6] They finished the shortened season joint-sixth of nine teams with a record.[7]

A separate independent women's football club named Bealnamulla LFC come from the Athlone area. They reached the national FAI Women's Cup final in 2000, but were beaten 7–0 by Shamrock Rovers, the dominant team of the era.[8] Five members of Athlone Town's inaugural squad were former Bealnamulla players.[9]

Athlone Town won the 2023 FAI Women's Cup Final at Tallaght Stadium on 19 November 2023, beating Shelbourne 4–3 on penalties after drawing 2–2.[10] [11]

Players

Current squad

[12] [13] (C)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Extratime.com - Extratime.com - Fixtures - 2020 Women's National League. www.extratime.com.
  2. News: Teams confirmed for Continental Tyres Women's U17 League . 20 February 2018 . 27 December 2018.
  3. News: Athlone Town join Women's National League . 1 November 2020 . . 20 November 2019.
  4. News: Steady progress is helping Athlone . 1 November 2020 . . 21 October 2020.
  5. News: Athlone Town Ladies Looking To Back Up Promising Debut . 1 November 2020 . . 18 August 2020.
  6. News: Hooper . Dave . Maiden WNL Victory For Athlone Town . 1 November 2020 . Shannonside . 6 September 2020.
  7. News: Fagan . Ronan . Athlone Town Ladies complete maiden WNL campaign with positive result . 20 November 2020 . . 19 November 2020.
  8. Web site: Mooney . Daniel . Hughes . Declan . Schöggl . Hans . Ireland - List of Women Cup Winners . . 1 November 2020.
  9. Web site: Senior Women's Só Hotels National League . . 1 November 2020.
  10. News: Brannigan . Peter . Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup final recap: Athlone Town win on penalties . 19 November 2023 . RTÉ Sport . 19 November 2023.
  11. News: Cooper . Gavin . Laois soccer star to the fore as Athlone Town capture Women’s FAI Cup . 19 November 2023 . Laois Live . 19 November 2023.
  12. AfcAthlone. 1375589760102715396. 26 March 2021. 1 more sleep Athlone Town v Shelbourne Fc WNL in Athlone Town Stadium Kick-off 4pm. Unfortunately, no spectators are allowed in due to the current guidelines. All games are free to watch, all you have to do is register on LOITV. Link to the game is below.
  13. News: New signings, rising stars, and players to watch - your team-by-team guide to the new WNL season . 24 April 2021 . . 25 March 2021.