Bittersweet night for McGee

ATHLONE Town fell to a first league defeat of the season when two goals in the final 15 minutes earned Waterford Utd a hard fought but deserved victory at Lissywoollen on Sunday evening. Striker Willie John Kiely was Waterford"s hero, netting twice in the closing stages to send the visitors level in the table with Athlone on seven points from four games. However, the game will probably be most remembered for Noel McGee"s impact on proceedings. The 22-year-old Athlone native was making a landmark 100th appearance for the club and the script seemed to be perfectly written when he put Athlone in front on 69 minutes. But McGee"s evening took a disappointing turn for the worse when he received a second booking in the 82nd minute and was subsequently dismissed. It was a deeply unfortunate way for McGee to finish what was otherwise a memorable day for the Chapel Street striker but he could have very few complaints about his red card. McGee had earlier given the Town a slightly fortunate lead with his third goal in four league outings and will be sorely missed when serving a suspension against Wexford next week. McGee looked completely inconsolable as he trudged from the pitch and it was difficult to feel anything but a bit sorry for the forward who certainly experienced a huge contrast of emotions throughout the match. In fairness, it would be extremely harsh to put too much blame on the sending off for Athlone"s failure to hang on for a result. Waterford were by far the strongest side Athlone have faced to date this season and they just about deserved to see off an Athlone team who sorely missed the presence and calming influence of captain Des Hope at centre back, where Thomas McGauley and the inexperienced Kevin Dunne struggled to contain Waterford"s front pairing of Graham Cummins, a powerful presence in attack, and goalscorer Willie John Kiely. Athlone stayed with their opponents for the vast majority of the contest and can take further heart from another pretty solid performance. It was just deeply frustrating to lose the tie at the death, but Athlone will be confident of returning to winning ways straight away against Wexford on Saturday (kick-off: 8pm). Plenty of the official attendance of 654 thought Athlone unlucky in the end to get beaten and there is no reason for the Town to become in any way downhearted about losing narrowly to a strong Waterford outfit, who will probably finish in the top three this season. Des Hope and goalkeeper John McGuinness were both suspended, so Aaron Shanahan made his first start for the club between the posts and Damien Rushe returned to the side, too. With Hope missing, Athlone"s defence looked extremely shaky for large periods of the game and they will be grateful for his return this weekend, nervy displays from both Shanahan and left back Brian Cleary, who had impressed in recent weeks in midfield, stood out as much as Athlone"s lack of pace at the back. Athlone, however, had good performances from Robbie Hamm and Kevin Williamson, who showed some neat touches and looked a threat when running at Waterford"s defence, while Anthony Hayes continued his fine form with another satisfactory midfield display. The visitors contained five players who won the First Division with Cobh Ramblers two years ago including the game"s best player John Kearney in central midfield. And Waterford spent the majority of the opening period in control of proceedings. There was an early nervous moment for Aaron Shanahan when he came into a crowd scene following Kevin Waters" in-swinging free kick but luckily for the former Dundalk netminder Athlone"s defence scrambled the ball to safety. In the eighth minute, Willie John Kiely capitalised on hesitation by Brian Cleary and crossed low for Graham Cummins but his near post effort, under pressure from Thomas McGauley, went wide. Shanahan then did well to clear up a dangerous situation after Waters" cross deflected off Robbie Hamm, but Waterford looked far more assured at this point. McGauley made a couple of decent blocks inside Athlone"s box before the Town eventually got into their stride. Kevin Williamson did well down the left flank and his far post cross was helped back across goal by Emeka Onwubiko. Waterford initially cleared their lines but Anthony Hayes drilled a fine effort towards goal. Unfortunately, Kenny Browne stood in the way and cleared, but Hamm followed up and his 25-yard drive was narrowly wide. Athlone started to wobble again, though, with Shanahan required to shot good anticipation on a number of occasions. On 31 minutes, McGauley conceded a sloppy corner kick and Cummins" strong header from Waters" delivery was only just off target. Athlone were definitely feeling the loss of Des Hope and had a narrow escape when Paul McCarthy teed up John Kearney and his left foot drive dipped just over the crossbar. Cummins then finished into the side netting after causing more difficulties for Kevin Dunne, before McGauley was forced to clear off the line when Shanahan dealt poorly with Alan Carey"s free kick and Kiely shot the loose ball at goal. Shanahan also flapped at a corner kick just before half-time but Seamus Long sent his shot way over the crossbar. With Waterford very much in the ascendency, Athlone would have been quite pleased to hear the half-time whistle and still be level. Moments after the restart, Hayes made a terrific block to deny Kiely as the Waterford striker looked set to at least hit the target. McGee received his first yellow card in the 49th minute for a foul on McCarthy. Waterford sensed a weakness in Athlone"s left back position and on 52 minutes David Grincell was played in behind Cleary, but luckily for Athlone Grincell"s first touch was atrocious and the chance passed. Athlone began to play their best football during a 20 minute period after the hour mark. Onwubiko and Williamson worked a lovely move and the latter"s low cross picked out Stephen Place at the near post but his delicate flick missed the target by a fraction. Place was once again working his socks off for the cause and it was his hard work which led to a corner kick and Athlone"s opening goal in the 69th minute. Williamson"s delivery from the right was headed back across goal by Dunne and McGee forced the ball home through a crowd of bodies. His joyous reaction summed up what it meant to McGee on his 100th appearance for the club. Waterford drew level within five minutes. Gary Dunphy got past Cleary down Athlone"s left and his cross was eventually drilled into the net from close range by Kiely. Athlone initially looked to have dealt with the situation but a bit of hesitancy in defence led to the ball dropping kindly for Kiely and the Town will be very disappointed to concede such a messy goal. Things for worse in the 82nd minute when McGee tripped Kearney on the halfway line and received a second yellow card. Damien Rushe was then forced from the field through injury and Waterford were now eyeing all three points. New signing Kieran O"Reilly, previously with Monaghan Utd, replaced the hard working Rushe. Cummins put Kiely through on goal but his touch was disappointing and Athlone clung on. Cleary then hacked the ball clear when Cummins looked set to race clear of the Athlone defence. But Waterford sealed victory in the 89th minute when Kiely smashed the ball into the roof of the net, after the trouble for Athlone again began down their left flank. ATHLONE TOWN: Aaron Shanahan; Robbie Hamm; Brian Cleary; Kevin Dunne; Thomas McGauley; Damien Rushe; Anthony Hayes; Emeka Onwubiko; Noel McGee; Stephen Place; Kevin Williamson. Subs: Kieran O"Reilly for Rushe (87 mins); Robbie Benson for Onwubiko (90). WATERFORD UTD: Michael Devine; Alan Carey; Seamus Long; Kevin Murray; Kenny Browne; John Kearney; Paul McCarthy; David Grincell; Graham Cummins; Willie John Kiely; Kevin Waters. Subs: Gary Dunphy for Grincell (72 mins). REFEREE: Stephen Grant.