Athlone Town under-18s face League Cup final clash
Athlone Town's improving underage structure has produced yet another cup final team. The club's U18 side will contest the League Cup final as part of the Dublin and District Schoolboy League cup final weekend at the AUL complex in Dublin next weekend. Managed by Mickey Collins and Alan McCaul, the squad is playing in the elite U18 super division of the DDSL this season, alongside top Airtricity League clubs such as Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians, St Patrick's Athletic, Shelbourne and Dundalk and schoolboy powers, Crumlin Utd and Malahide Utd. Currently mid table, Athlone's league campaign has been hindered by injuries to some key players during the season. With a squad restricted to twenty players, the absence of the likes of Ian Sweeney, Eoin McCormack, Ethan Keogh, Andy Nevin and Rory Connor at various stages has been damaging. Speaking to the Westmeath Independent, Collins said: "We've had a lot of injuries this season but hopefully, we'll get the win at the weekend and get ourselves some silverware this season." "We've been creating lots of chances in our games and just need to start taking a bit more of them," he said. Last weekend, Athlone hosted title chasing Crumlin Utd and drew 3-3. Last season, Athlone's Under 17 team won the Major One league and cup double, defeating Dundalk in the cup final. And although, a change of age eligibility at the end of last season means that only a few of either side were involved in last year's cup final, the memory of that day will be a key factor for both sides. "Dundalk will be will up for the final. I'm sure they will want to get one over on us after last year," Collins said. Athlone lost 2-0 away to Dundalk early in the league campaign before drawing 2-2 in Athlone six or seven weeks ago. Dundalk have a number of first team players involved at U18 level while for Athlone, youth team players Sweeney, Val Feeney, Sean Guerins and Warren Conroy have all lined out in the Airtricity League this season for Athlone. However, Collins is confident going into Sunday's decider. "There's a lot of great football talent around the area at the minute. We've proved that last year and this year. It's very positive for Athlone and hopefully, we can produce the goods on Sunday," he said. "There should be the basis of a very good U19 side there next year if they stay together," he added. Sweeney and McCormack have returned to the squad, but Nevin and Keogh are out with long-term injuries. Kick-off at the AUL complex on Sunday is at 3pm. Athlone defeated Shelbourne (2-1 at home), Leicester Celtic (1-0 away, aet) and St Patrick's Athletic (3-0 away) on the way to the final, while Dundalk defeated Malahide Utd (2-0 away), UCD/Mount Merrion (2-1 at home), and St Joseph's/Bray Wanderers (2-1 home (aet) to reach the decider.