Athlone take major step towards title - but Singleton injury mars win

Shelbourne 1 Athlone Town 2

By Daire Walsh

In the aftermath of his side’s potentially crucial victory over Shelbourne in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division at Tolka Park last Saturday, the wellbeing of Chloe Singleton was at the forefront of Ciaran Kilduff’s mind.

Despite falling behind to a 32nd-minute Jemma Quinn goal in the Drumcondra venue, Brenda Ebika Tabe and Kerryanne Brown (penalty) subsequently found the net in either half to move Athlone three points clear of Shels at the summit of the Premier Division table.

The Midlanders showed considerable character in overcoming the challenge of the north Dubliners as they had also lost Singleton to a serious injury just before Quinn broke the deadlock.

This left Kilduff with a somewhat bittersweet feeling when the dust settled on an often fiery encounter, but the Athlone manager was glad his troops were able to get the job done in the absence of Singleton.

“We knew it was a massive game, it’s a top of the table clash. The good feeling probably gets spoiled with Chloe’s injury in the first half.

"We were kind of doing it for her and I’m glad we did. It was one of those games where you need a Chloe Singleton on the pitch,” Kilduff remarked after the game.

“To do it without her I think speaks volumes for what the girls feel about her and for what we feel about her. She’s going to have a big role this season, even though it mightn’t be on the pitch. She’s such a character, such a leader. I’m gutted for her to be honest, but I’m obviously delighted for the girls that they were able to get a positive result for her.”

In added time at the end of the first half, Ebika Tabe (a recent recruit who has represented Cameroon at a number of age grades) capitalised on a defensive error to bring Athlone level.

Towards the end of the game, it looked like both sides were going to settle for a share of the spoils, which would have kept Athlone just behind Shels on score difference at the top of the table.

However, there was to be a final twist when referee Claire Purcell awarded a penalty to Athlone after she adjudged Shels keeper Amanda McQuillan to have fouled Shauna Brennan inside the box.

This wasn’t a popular decision with the home team or their supporters, but Brow displayed impressive composure in dispatching the 87th-minute spot kick into the bottom right-hand corner.

Even though Athlone had to negotiate an extended spell of injury-time, they held firm to emerge with the three points on offer. There were some heated exchanges upon the final whistle in the capital, but this just served to highlight the growing rivalry between these sides and how tense their respective title bids are becoming with just six games left for both teams in 2024.

Shelbourne: Amanda McQuillan; Jessica Gargan, Pearl Slattery, Keeva Keenan; Christie Gray, Maggie Pierce, Alex Kavanagh, Leah Doyle; Roma McLaughlin, Hannah Healy; Jemma Quinn. Subs: Megan Smyth-Lynch for Healy (half-time), Eabha O’Mahony for Quinn, Kate Mooney for Gray (both 68), Noelle Murray for Doyle (82).

Athlone Town: Katie Keane; Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Jesi Lynne Rossman, Shauna Brennan; Laurie Ryan, Kerryanne Brown; Roisin Molloy, Chloe Singleton, Madison Gibson; Brenda Ebika Tabe. Subs: Emily Burke for Singleton (31), Hazel Donegan for Ebika Tabe (91), Isabel Ryan for Molloy (94).

Referee: Claire Purcell (Waterford).

*See full report in this week's paper.