Athlone youngsters to face cup holders

ATHLONE Town's in-form U19 squad face a major test this weekend, when they travel to Bishopstown to take on Cork City in the quarter-finals of the Enda McGuill League Cup. Mickey Collins' young charges have been in scintillating form this season,a nd currently top the Airtricity U19 National League Southern Division, with eight wins and a draw from their nine outings. Their latest success came last Monday night when they reasily brushed aside Galway Utd ST 4-1 at Lecarrow, a game watched closely by new senior team manager Roddy Collins. Ethan Keogh and Eoin McCormack were among the goalscorers against Galway, and along with fellow attacker Jordan Conroy, will be expected to cause problems for Cork. Athlone had a 2-0 win over Donegal side Fanad Utd in the previous round, but are likely to face a far more gruelling challenge this weekend. The host's had an extra-time win over Waterford Utd in their last League Cup game. City are the cup holders, having defeated Dundalk 3-2 in the final at Oriel Park in last year's final, and have their last three games in the Elite Division (which they also won last season). Kick-off at Bishopstown is pencilled-in for 2pm.