Kelly continues great form to earn depleted Athlone a point

A somewhat understrength Athlone Town took a hard earned point from Jackman Park last Friday as they held Limerick 37 to a scoreless draw in front of an attendance of 650. With just five wins from their previous 31 league outings, it was always difficult to see crisis club Athlone coming away from Limerick with a victory, especially as the home side had defeated promotion contenders Waterford Utd 5-1 the week beforehand. Athlone had also endured a strenuous week, having been hit by a one-point deduction for fielding an unregistered player against Waterford Utd several weeks ago and also a whopping €2,500 fine for the offence. So, things looked as though they could go from bad to worse for the Town when they travelled to fifth placed Limerick, who comfortably saw off Athlone on a 3-0 scoreline the last time the sides met. Athlone, however, frustrated Limerick on their last visit to Jackman Park in June and emerged with a scoreless draw on that occasion, too. Without the services of first-choice centre backs Nigel Keady and Jim Sheridan, as well as veteran striker Eric Lavine, Athlone never seemed overly interested in venturing out of their own half, and needed an inspired performance by "keeper Ciaran Kelly to escape with a share of the points. And, while Kelly was kept more than busy throughout this encounter, at the other end of the field Brian Collopy was not. Collopy, making his eircom League debut, was never forced to make a single save of note. Apart from their obvious off-field difficulties, Athlone had received something of a confidence boost by beating Monaghan Utd in a fiery encounter the previous weekend and manager Dermot Lennon would have been looking for more of the same commitment. On that score, you couldn"t fault Athlone. They were well organised and made Limerick work hard for any opportunities they created. Aside from the absent Keady, Lavine and Sheridan, long-term injury casualty Niall Scullion was also unavailable. Philip Reilly, who filled in at centre-back, was struggling with a foot injury, while Colm Jinks and David O"Dowd were also rated very doubtful before the match and only managed bit-parts in a battling Athlone performance. On the plus side, Robbie Hamm returned after serving a one match suspension. Surprisingly, young forward Ian Coffey was also on the substitutes bench after a lengthy period away from the first-team picture. Coffey had earlier in the season announced he was leaving Athlone, following an initial burst of good form after breaking into the side. However, after several games with the club"s under-20 side in recent weeks, Coffey was back in contention against Limerick. Athlone have now drawn on a staggering 14 occasions in the league this season with six of those games finishing 0-0. Mike Kerley opted to introduce Brian Collopy in place of regular goalkeeper Dave Ryan. Jason Hughes also came into the side in place of Pat Purcell. Limerick launched an immediate assault on the Athlone goal, but struggled to make any real progress, with the Westmeath side happy to defend from their own 18-yard line. Athlone did manage a foray forward, culminating in a corner in the 11th minute which Noel McGee tried to punch into the Limerick net, but that was it for the night in terms of Athlone"s attempts on Brian Collopy"s goal. From start to finish it was pretty much all Limerick. A great move in the 13th minute saw Limerick move the ball rapidly through midfield to John Tierney who picked out the run of Jason Hughes in behind the Athlone defence. Tierney"s through ball bounced tantalisingly ahead of Hughes, but Ciaran Kelly had spotted the danger to advance off his line and smother Hughes" opportunity. Three minutes later, a brilliant 60-yard pass from Paul Danaher picked out Hughes ghosting in behind the Athlone defence, but once again Kelly raced off his line to deny Hughes a shooting opportunity. In the 21st minute, Limerick created another wonderful opportunity when Garry Sheahan raced down the left flank and curled a cross towards John Tierney. Tierney stood the ball up for the on-rushing Davy Ryan whose rasping half-volley was, once again, superbly saved by Kelly. Athlone adjusted a little, falling back deeper into their own half, and forced Limerick to play lateral balls across the field. The chances dried up for Mike Kerley"s men and, to be honest, this was frustrating stuff to watch for the home fans. The only remaining highlight of a dire first half was a Brian Cleary header, from a corner, which flew over the Athlone bar. Limerick came very close to an opening goal in the 54th minute. Davy Ryan curled in a superb placed ball to an unmarked Brian Cleary, whose curling header crept agonisingly wide of Ciaran Kelly"s left-hand post. John Tierney sprung the Athlone offside strap in the 66th minute, but Des Hope worked hard to force the on-loan striker wide, while Kelly saved Tierney"s tame effort at his near post. In the final quarter of the game Limerick, with Paul Walsh absolutely outstanding on the right wing, pressed for the winner. Athlone stood firm, however, and could maybe have nicked a victory when Carmine Russo blazed well over with a volley from inside the box. John Tierney engineered a great opportunity for himself in the 88th minute, but Ciaran Kelly pulled off another brilliant save to deny the Limerick striker a deserved goal. A minute later, Paul Walsh flashed in a great cross, but Bobby Tier failed to connect with the delivery and the chance was gone. The final chance of the night materialised in the fourth minute of injury time when Paul Danaher thundered a header toward Ciaran Kelly"s goal. Once more, Kelly somehow managed to save Danaher"s effort and, unfortunately for Limerick, Brian Cleary hooked the rebound wide of the Athlone goal. Limerick 37: Brian Collopy; Wayne Colbert; Brian Cleary; Paul Danaher; Tommy Barrett; Thomas Lyons; Jason Hughes; Davy Ryan; Garry Sheehan; John Tierney; Paul Walsh. Subs: Chukwuma Manjor for Lyons (64 mins); Bobby Tier for Ryan (64). Athlone Town: Ciaran Kelly; Ian Rossiter; Robbie Hamm; Des Hope; Philip Reilly; Anthony Hayes; Joey Maloney; Carmine Russo; Colm Jinks; Noel McGee; Jason McCartney. Subs: Ian Coffey for Jinks (53 mins); David O"Dowd for McGee (78); Robbie Egan for Maloney (90). Referee: Keith Callinan.