‘Exciting prospect’ of double will spur on Athlone - Kilduff
By Mike Rafferty
The history of the Athlone Town women's soccer team is very short, but their achievements are magnificent. Having entered the National League for the first time in 2020, their progress has been remarkable.
In 2022, they finished runners-up in both the league and FAI Cup and went one better last season when winning the FAI Cup for the first time.
This season has seen them progress even further and they were crowned SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division champions last Saturday night week and they have qualified for another FAI Cup final meeting with Shelbourne on Sunday next at Tallaght Stadium (kick-off 3pm).
Of course it is the third time in succession that they will meet in the decider, with the teams having shared the honours in the two previous meetings.
While Athlone had clinched the league title and collected the trophy following their recent win over Bohemians, they had one outstanding fixture to play and last Saturday fell to a 3-2 defeat against Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park.
It was just their third loss of the season, but one that didn't unduly concern manager Ciarán Kilduff when he spoke to the Westmeath Independent afterwards.
“Look, the Galway game changes nothing. Sure, I'm not happy to lose it, but there is a bigger picture here and it won't affect us. It was a very good competitive game and we got a chance to experiment a bit. A few of the girls needed to get some game time into their legs and we will be better for it," he said.
"Now that the last league game is out of the way, all our focus is on the FAI Cup final, but what will be very much in our minds is that we are going there as league champions. That was a tremendous achievement, but the prospect of a league and cup double is also exciting.
“Obviously we know you cannot take anything for granted. Shelbourne are a very good team. We finished first and second in the league table and while we took four points off them in our two meetings, they beat us in the All-Island Cup. Therefore, we know that little separates us and it is all about what happens on the day.
"Winning can come down to fine margins and both teams have winners in their side. We are aware that they have some smashing players, but we have to look just at ourselves to get over the line. Cup finals are different. Players react in different ways, depending on whether you are winning or losing and you have to deal with all these situations as a final is a one off and you have to take the opportunity when you get it,” he continued.
Now the elevation of Athlone Town to this level of success might be a surprise to many, but Kilduff is matter of fact about the combination of events that got them there.
“Firstly, you must look at the team. It is just four years old, but we have a club that has backed the women's section. It was Tommy Hewitt who got the ball rolling and I came in then last season.
"From a playing point of view it is the girls who have driven it. Sometimes in sport you need a bit of luck and to win the FAI Cup last season (on penalties) has seen us build momentum and we have carried it on to the current campaign,” said Kilduff.
The manager also name-dropped some of the people who are leaders in the teams. “Leaders come in different ways, with the likes of Laurie Ryan an inspirational captain. Maddie Gibson is well known for her creativity and goals, while our 18-year-old goalkeeper Katie Keane drives people with her commitment and performances.
"Of course we have had our injury difficulties and Chloe Singleton and Kerryane Brown will be missing the big day. However, since they have been out, other players have stepped in and put us in the position we are in”.
Athlone has a big soccer tradition and Kilduff says the people who live there are becoming very familiar with those who represent the club. According to Kilduff: “You see it in the people you meet. Of course they know the local girls, but everybody is familiar with our US players as they greet them in the street and chat to them in coffee shops.
"Locals like Chloe Singleton, Hazel Donegan and Kayleigh Shine know the history of the club and it means a lot to them, but it is the same for the players who live elsewhere like Shauna Brennan, Kate Slevin and Kellie Brennan (Galway) and Roisin Molloy (a native of Sligo) who all come in and want to be part of a success story.
"Look, I am just proud of the team we have and when you are in a dressing room in sport, it is all about winning no matter where you are from, and I just hope we can carry our success a bit further on Sunday afternoon,” he added.