Taughmaconnell native is shouting for the Hoops on Friday!
THOUGH the majority of spectators in the Athlone Town Stadium for Friday night’s Airtricity League Premier Division meeting of Athlone Town and Shamrock Rovers will be supporting the home side, one South Roscommon native will be sitting in the away section with his Hoops colours nailed firmly to his chest.
Knockcroghery’s Michael Egan, 30, has supported Shamrock Rovers for many years - while also attending many Athlone Town games and wishing the club all the best - and is a season ticket holder at the Tallaght Stadium.
On Friday, Michael - who also attends most of Rovers’ away matches - will get a chance to see his beloved Hoops much closer to his home in South Roscommon.
Michael told the Westmeath Independent: As a Rovers supporter from Roscommon, I’m really looking forward to seeing the Hoops play in Athlone. I also follow the Town but on the night, I will be in the away section. It really promises to be an exciting season for Arhlone Town fans with travelling to different places and hosting different teams after 18 years in the First Division.”
Michael proudly displays the attached flag at every Shamrock Rovers game - and will be doing so in Lissywollen on Friday (kick-off: 7.45pm).
“I am looking forward to the game on Friday,” he said.
“Having attended many games in Athlone, it will be great to see the Town in action in their first home game back in the top-tier. It will also be the shortest journey for me to see the Hoops play this season! I wasn’t in Sligo for Athlone’s first game of the season but was at the Rovers game against Derry City last Sunday in Tallaght. It was not a great game but a draw was a fair result. You might see the Rovers/Roscommon flag that myself and a few friends hang at Rovers games, both home and away. There is a good tradition in LOI football of hanging flags. Hopefully we get a good game of football this Friday and an atmosphere to match. I think Athlone will get a point on Friday,” Michael added.
Friday’s match in Lissywollen will be Athlone Town’s first home match in the top division of Irish football for 18 years. They opened the season with a narrow 2-1 defeat against Sligo Rovers in the Showgrounds last Saturday (see this week’s Westmeath Independent - out today - for full match report, reaction and preview of the Shamrock Rovers game with Athlone manager Mick Cooke).