Athlone Town just one win away from league title success
The situation facing the Athlone Town women's team tomorrow night is quite simple - beat Bohemians and they will be crowned SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division champions for the first time.
Athlone have their destiny in their own hands as they prepare to host Bohs on Saturday night (kick-off 7.35pm), no matter what title rivals Shelbourne do in their game at home to 2023 champions Peamount United earlier in the day (2pm).
The Town are top of the table on 44 points, three points ahead of second-placed Shelbourne and six ahead of Galway United, who still have a slim chance of winning the title. Galway, who are away to Treaty United tomorrow (5pm), can only win the title if Athlone lose both of their last two games.
Some supporters may have thought that goal difference would be used to decide the title if two teams finish level on points at the top. However, it has been clarified that the head-to-head record trumps goals difference and this is to the advantage of Athlone.
If Ciaran Kilduff's side defeat Bohemians, Shelbourne cannot exceed the points total of Athlone, who have the better head-to-head record.
Athlone defeated Shelbourne 2-1 at Tolka Park last month in a match which saw Chloe Singleton sustain an injury which has ruled her out for the remainder of the season. Kerryanne Brown scored a late winner from a penalty in that game and the result means Athlone have a head-to-head advantage over Shels.
When the teams met earlier in the season, it ended in a 1-1 draw, with Athlone attacker Madison Gibson scoring an equaliser deep in stoppage time.
Both games were feisty affairs with a keen rivalry having developed between the sides. They have met in the last two FAI Cup finals, with one win each, and they will also meet in the 2024 final later this month.
If Athlone beat seventh-placed Bohemians, the Women's Premier Division trophy will be presented to the home side's captain Laurie Ryan tomorrow night. And if Shels are held to a draw by Peamount, a draw against Bohs will be enough for Athlone.
With excitement building ahead of a huge game for Athlone's women, it's very strange that the men's team will take on midland rivals Longford at the same time tomorrow night.
Athlone will travel to Longford for the final midlands derby of the season in the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division (kick-off in Bishopsgate at 7.30).
With the Athlone vs Bohemians women's match having been chosen for live coverage on TG4, it obviously could not be changed. But it's not clear why the fixture in Longford could not have been brought forward to tonight (Friday) to avoid a clash and allow Athlone fans attend both games should they wish to do so.
While third-placed Athlone are well placed to make the promotion play-offs, Longford are currently bottom of the table and have no chance of reaching the play-offs.
Meanwhile, there are some changes to kick-off times for the final round of games in the Women's Premier Division.
Originally all games were scheduled to kick off at 5pm on Saturday, October 12, but three games will now start at the earlier time of 3pm and two more at 4.30, including the Galway United vs Athlone Town and Shamrock Rovers vs Shelbourne fixtures. However, the Athlone camp will be hoping to have the league title wrapped up before the last round of games.