Brief Match Report

Writing all this from memory I know there was reporters at the match from local papers so you will get full match report in local press.

1.Michael Schlingman
2. Mark Nolan
3. Shane O’Connell
4. Stephen Caffrey
5. Des Hope
6. Alan Keely
7. Richie O’Hanlon
8. Mark O’Brien
9. Shane Dolan
10. Peter Darcy
11. Austin Skelly

Subs
Brendan Turley
Eoghan O’Shea
Kevin Dunne
Kevin Quinn
Tom O’Halloran
Robbie Farrell
Garvan Broughall
Niall Scullion

Athlone Town put in a spirited performance against League of Ireland Champions Bohemian.  An Eoghan Oshea own goal late in the second half won the game for Bohs who were admittedly the better side.  However Athlone defended well and limited bohs chances although it took last ditch tackles on a couple of occasions and some fine goalkeeping by Slingerman (hope thats correct) to keep them out.  Athlone’s starting team included Des Hope, Austin Skelly, Alan Keely, Staphen Caffrey, Richie O’hanlon.  Second half subsititutes of which there was many included Niall Scullion, James O’Connell(?), Robbie Farrell and Eoghan O’Shea.  Young Kevin Dunne replaced KElly just after half time and looked comfortable beside hope in the heart of the Athlone Defence.

Just before the first half ended, Hope came out of a hard challenge limping and was replaced midway through the second half by O’shea.  Des didn’t look too bad so hopefully it was just precautionary that he was taken off.  Also Garvan Broughall and Tom O’Halloran made second half appearances, O’Halloran in particular caused problems down the left and created probably Athlones best chance a few minutes into the second half when he beat the left full and whipped an inviting ball low into the box, a scramble ensued, Farrells shot was blocked and bohs cleared their lines.  Although Bohs were on top for most of the match Athlone had a chance with the last kick of the ball to earn a draw when Farrells quick thinking saw him pounce on poor control by the Bohs centre half and swerved the ball round the keeper from 25 yards went just an inch or two wide.

Broughall came on at right full and looked comfortable particularly with the ball at his feet,  O’Halloran caused problems down the left, and O’Connell applied himself well in the middle of the park, he was both committed in defence and alert in attack.  While the result didn’t go our way, and Bohs looked comfortable for most of the match there were times, particularly the first 15 mins of the second half when were so organised in defence that bohs had no idea on how to attack.

To sum up, a committed and spirited performance coupled with the quick feet of O’halloran, the agility of the keeper and the industry of O’Connell as well as solid performances from all the lads, we did well and it certainly has raised my expectations of the season ahead.

Well Done Lads

Mark Nolan and Richie O'Hanlon double up on the wing to launch an attack