Ten man Athlone hang on

ATHLONE Town produced a fair amount of entertaining football in their opening two league fixtures as they garnered maximum points along the way. But last Friday, on a bumpy and unattractive surface at Jackman Park, the Town needed to show other strengths in order to come away with a share of the spoils against a determined and energetic Limerick. Athlone showed good togetherness, plenty of organisation at the back - where Des Hope and Robbie Hamm excelled - and a willingness to mix it when the going got tough. Such traits will further boost manager Brendan Place who has now watched his side remain unbeaten during the opening three weeks of the season. This match was far from a classic and in many respects both sides cancelled each other out for long periods. And even though Athlone were forced to play the final 25 minutes or so with ten men following goalkeeper John McGuinness" red card, the away side never looked under serious pressure until the very closing stages of the contest when, in fairness, Limerick could have sealed the points with some better finishing. As well as defenders Hamm and Hope, Athlone also had telling performances from the likes of Brian Cleary and Anthony Hayes in midfield, while lone frontman Stephen Place again led the line with a huge amount of commitment and hard work, and often showed good intelligence to bring others into Athlone"s attacking play. On the down side, Athlone had much quieter performances from wingers Emeka Onwubiko and Kevin Williamson, who had both previously made excellent impacts in the opening couple of fixtures. Overall, though, Athlone will be satisfied to achieve what is now their third straight draw away to Limerick. Most Athlone supporters were somewhat surprised to see the returning Damien Rushe remain on the substitute bench. Rushe, who impressed on his return to Athlone colours during the opening day victory over Mervue Utd, served a one-game suspension the previous week and Brendan Place kept faith with the same players who defeated Kildare County 3-1 at Lissywoollen. This also meant that "keeper John McGuinness remained between the posts instead of the recently signed Aaron Shanahan, who himself would later have a major input into Athlone earning a result on the evening. Limerick, still without a permanent manager, were forced into a couple of changes with Paul Cummins unavailable through injury. Paul Danagher, Eoin O"Brien and Colin Scanlon came into the starting line-up, with James Hayes and Thomas Lyons also dropping to the bench. Wayne Colbert was also unavailable for the home side for the second week running. From an early stage, the compact nature of Jackman Park, plus the bobbly surface, ensured the game became more a battle of attrition than style. And Limerick"s tendency for a more direct approach caused Athlone a few problems in the opening 25 minutes. A couple of nervous moments from Kevin Dunne and Kevin Williamson presented Tommy Barrett with an early chance to shoot at Athlone"s goal but his 20-yard effort was comfortable for John McGuinness. A long ball from defence then caught Athlone on their heels but a combination of Dunne and McGuinness cleared the danger as John Tierney threatened to capitalise. Limerick then should have taken the lead in the eight minute. Dunne showed a bit of inexperience to concede a needless free kick beside the right corner flag and Martin Deedy swung over the first of many fine deliveries. Jamie Wunsch climbed highest but his header from about eight yards was directed wide of McGuinness" goal. Barrett then tried his luck from distance but his shot deflected wide off Anthony Hayes. Athlone first threatened the Limerick goal in the 15th minute when Robbie Hamm was fouled after marauding up the right flank. However, Williamson"s in-swinging free kick was easily caught by the towering Limerick "keeper. Stephen Place was showing much honesty and endeavour in a lone attacking role and had Athlone"s best chance of the opening half, shooting over the bar from the edge of the box in the 41st minute, after a fine move involving Hayes, Noel McGee and Onwubiko. McGee was also booked before half-time when referee Mark Gough adjudged him to have dived under "keeper Dave Ryan"s challenge. The incident was definitely not a penalty but neither a yellow card. Amazingly and rather unprofessionally on the league"s behalf, it must be said, referee Gough is a native of Limerick, and surely should not be officiating matches involving his home city. Thomas McGauley, who took a little while to settle before playing well, was also carded before half-time, while Stephen Goggins saw yellow for the home outfit. Athlone, who came more into matters in the final 15 minutes of the opening half, also began the second half in bright fashion. A long ball up to Stephen Place saw the striker feed the ball into McGee"s path and he swept a delightful first-time pass to Onwubiko on the right wing, but the winger"s low drive was well off target. On 54 minutes, both Hamm and McGauley made timely blocks to deny Limerick an opening goal, before Athlone then worked their finest move of the game. Hamm and McGee combined sweetly to pick out Onwubiko near the end line. Onwubiko produced a superb cross but Place"s header was unfortunately wide of goal. Hayes and Cleary then worked a very clever corner kick but the latter"s shot ballooned well over the top. The ever industrious Stephen Place was booked in the 65th minute but it got worse two minutes later. Goalkeeper McGuinness was harshly red carded after racing from his box to compete for a loose ball with John Tierney. Although Tierney reached the ball a fraction ahead of McGuinness, it seemed more like a collision than an intentional foul, and Dunne also seemed to get back behind his "keeper to prevent a possible red card. The referee, though, judged the foul worthy of a straight dismissal. Dunne was sacrificed for Aaron Shanahan and the former Dundalk "keeper made a superb save from Deedy"s free kick within seconds of coming on. As Limerick upped their game in the closing stages, Des Hope stood tall in Athlone"s defence time and time again. The Town captain continuously read the play excellently and led by example with a trojan display at the heart of a resolute and battling Athlone performance. Limerick did have late chances though. Firstly, Shanahan dived to his left to deny Paul Walsh, before Hamm squeezed the ball around the post after a goalmouth scramble in Athlone"s box. Limerick substitute Dave Ryan then squandered the best opportunity of the match when heading over the bar from six yards. Athlone could have nicked all three points on the break when Onwubiko touched the ball into Place"s path but his lobbed effort dropped onto the roof of the net. Athlone will be hoping to continue their unbeaten start to the season when they face Waterford Utd at Lissywoollen on Sunday (kick-off: 5pm). LIMERICK: Dave Ryan; Jamie Wunsch; Eoin O"Brien; Brian O"Callaghan; Paul Danagher; Stephen Goggins; Tommy Barrett; Martin Deedy; John Tierney; Paul Walsh; Colin Scanlon. Subs: James Hayes for Scanlon (61 mins); Dave Ryan for Deedy (81). ATHLONE TOWN: John McGuinness; Robbie Hamm; Thomas McGauley; Des Hope; Kevin Dunne; Brian Cleary; Anthony Hayes; Emeka Onwubiko; Noel McGee; Stephen Place; Kevin Williamson. Subs: Aaron Shanahan for Dunne (67 mins); Damien Rushe for Williamson (87). REFEREE: Mark Gough.