logo
Athlone Town lose ground at the top as Galway secure draw

Athlone Town lose ground at the top as Galway secure draw

RTÉ News​5 days ago
Athlone Town and Galway United played out a battling draw in a high-quality affair at The Athlone Town Stadium as the reigning champions saw their lead at the top cut to just two points.
Kelly Brady was credited with the opener in the first half, as her deflected header set her side on their way to what would have been their third win over Galway United, but a spirited second half saw an Aislinn Meaney stunner earn a deserved point on the road.
It didn't take long for the champions to exert their dominance early on. After her match winning and record-breaking brace away in Wexford last week, 15-year-old sensation Emma Mooney showed tremendous pace down the left-hand side to win a corner after a couple of minutes.
A clever two v one from the resulting set piece saw Roisin Molloy cut inside and unleash a thunderous effort that was sharply turned behind by Nicole Nix.
With Shelbourne having piled on the pressure with their earlier 4-1 win over Peamount United, the table-topping Town knew the margin for error was slim, and they went close again minutes later. The rampaging Molloy swung in a deep cross from the right wing but having been half cleared up in the air, the unmarked skipper Madie Gibson failed to hit the target with her right-footed volley.
But Phil Trill's side are made of stern stuff and looked fairly solid as the half developed.
The hosts, clearly targeting the right-hand side, continued to get joy and this avenue proved fruitful with the opener coming 25 minutes in.
Following some excellent footwork by Hannah Waesch, who delivered a whipped ball into the box, Kelly Brady looked to have gotten in front of Eve Dossen but her glanced header seemed to come off the unfortunate Galway defender last and loop into the net.
But the hosts were dealt a massive blow moments later when one of the league's top performers Gibson was unable to shake off an injury from an early collision and was replaced by Izzy Ryan
The visitors, for all their hard work out of possession, failed to trouble the American Megan Placchko, bar a couple of long-range efforts as a war of attrition developed.
With the game firmly in the balance, chants of "C'mon the Town" greeted the start of the second half knowing that a second might be needed to get over the line.
Ryan got some good space just right of the area but opted for a clipped ball towards Brady that was well marshalled by Dossen on this occasion.
The visitors began to grow in confidence as the game edged towards the hour mark. Both Rolake Olusola and Amanda Smith had efforts before a couple of quick-fire corners further piled on the pressure.
Emma Doherty's dancing feet on the edge of the area then fashioned a yard of space and forced Plaschko into a full stretch fingertip save to keep her side's narrow lead intact.
Having weathered the storm, the home side slowly swung the pendulum back in their favour. The lively Brady was again razor sharp in the box, twisting and turning under pressure before eventually being snuffed out.
With a quarter of an hour remaining the chance the visitors had been desperately hoping for finally arrived when Doherty broke the offside trap and raced clear, but unfortunately for the former Sligo Rovers star her low shot was well smothered.
However with just over five minutes remaining the visitors managed to equalise with a tremendous goal of the season contender.
Substitute Meaney stunned the home support as she took advantage of some sloppy play out from the back, intercepting the ball and hitting an unstoppable 25-yard strike into the far top corner to get her side on level terms.
To their credit, both sides pushed for a winner in added on time but the spoils were eventually shared, breathing further life into the enthralling title race with the difference now just two points.
Athlone Town: Megan Plaschko, Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Shauna Brennan, Natalie McNally, Hannah Waesch, Kelly Brady, Roisin Molloy, Emma Mooney (Hazel Donegan, 88'), Madison Gibson (Isabel Ryan, 33'), Sarah Rice.
Galway United: Nicole Nix, Aoibheann Costello, Lucy Grant, Isabella Beletic, Rola Olusola (Ceola Bergin, 68'), Lynsey McKey (Aisling Meaney, 62'), Therese Kinnevey, Amanda Smith, Eve Dossen, Emma Doherty (Anna McGough, 88'), Niamh Farrelly.
Referee: Claire Purcell.
Shelbourne romped to an emphatic 4-1 victory over Peamount United to keep the pressure on Athlone Town.
The second-placed Reds went one down very early when Aisling Spillane brilliantly fashioned half a yard of space and lashed home a low effort.
Aoibheann Clancy equalised from the spot in the 19th minute, and Kate Mooney put the visitors head in the 57th.
Noelle Murray prodded home a 69th-minute third with Mooney striking again five minutes from time to put the cherry on top.
Wexford stayed in third position after a 3-0 win at bottom-placed Sligo Rovers.
Della Doherty broke the deadlock in the 37th minute, racing on to a ball over the top and lifting home a calm finish.
Nine minutes into the second half Ciara Rossiter smashed home a second from close range after Bonnie McKiernan spilled a cross, and Leah McGrath curled home the goal of the game with five minites left to wrap it up.
Bohemians edged past Waterford at Dalymount Park.
Leiagh Glennon's excellent 43rd-minute effort proved decisive in a tight contest.
Treaty United swept past Cork City 3-1 at Turner's Cross.
A lovely Isabella Flocchini strike put the visitors ahead on 23 minutes, and Madelyn Robbins doubled their lead four minutes into the second half. Mara McCleary made it 3-0 with a good left-footed finish from inside the box in the 69th minute, with Aine Walsh nabbing a consolation goal for Cork in the closing stages.
DLR Waves picked up just their third win of the season when they upset Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.
Michelle Doonan's perfectly judged lob on 25 minutes was the difference as the Waves moved up to ninth in the table.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Make sure he knows you're ready for him' – Mark Coyle comments on strong tackle against Qarabag
‘Make sure he knows you're ready for him' – Mark Coyle comments on strong tackle against Qarabag

The Irish Sun

time25 minutes ago

  • The Irish Sun

‘Make sure he knows you're ready for him' – Mark Coyle comments on strong tackle against Qarabag

MARK Coyle was determined to make his mark in Europe by whatever means necessary. But he admitted Shelbourne were kicking themselves at how they allowed Advertisement 2 The 28-year-old is suspended for Shels' next league game due to picking up 10 yellow cards 2 Qarabag's captain Abdellah Zoubir caused a lot of issues for the Reds in the first half Forced off But, with And he made his presence felt on Abdellah Zoubir, although their captain had the last laugh, teeing up the second goal in their 3-0 win having also been involved in the first. Coyle said: 'When you're on the bench, you're watching the game and seeing what you can do to impact it. Advertisement Read more on League of Ireland 'I obviously know the quality they have. Especially in the first half, I was thinking 'I don't want them running at me too much'. 'So when I came on - and I do think sometimes they don't like that, and he probably didn't - it's a way of, I don't know, making sure that you're at it and making sure he knows you're ready for him and that's all it really was. It was probably a bit of that.' O'Brien labelled the Frenchman - who was brought on loan to Hibernian by Pat Fenlon - as probably the best player on the pitch but Coyle stopped short of calling him the best he had come up against. He said: 'That's a good question actually definitely think there are a lot of players here, in this league actually, that would be as good. Advertisement Most read in Football 'But, for me maybe, in the second half maybe he tired a little bit so he wasn't as prominent. Look, I don't think it's a real fair assessment for me to give. "You could ask me next week over there in the heat and I could be giving a totally different assessment of it. Nicolas Kuhn reveals what was said in Brendan Rodgers' Celtic office after he'd sealed £17m Como transfer 'In the second half we had a real go, you could see that in the chances we created. "We had chances to equalise and I felt if anybody was on the ropes it was probably them at that stage. But that's the difference. Advertisement 'Maybe in the first half we played with a little bit too much respect or whatever it may be, especially at the start, but the second half we were well on top I felt, I felt in control but I think that's the times that it's so dangerous. 'We have to learn from that, especially in Europe, the quality of players you're coming up against, they punish any small mistakes. They mightn't even be mistakes really, so you really have to be at it for the full 90 minutes. 'They are a well-versed team in Europe, and you can see that in some of the things they did in slowing the game down. They're learnings that you can take from it.' Although they will almost certainly exit the Champions League next week, Coyle is out to savour the experience and improve as they prepare to drop down to the Europa League. Advertisement He said: 'We worked so hard last year to win the league and this is the reward for that. So this is time to really enjoy it and relish this opportunity. 'There is still a game to be played and we want to make sure that we put on a good performance and represent the club in the right way.'

Man Utd consider charging fans £4,000 to reserve season tickets at new stadium – with 20,000 seats saved for hospitality
Man Utd consider charging fans £4,000 to reserve season tickets at new stadium – with 20,000 seats saved for hospitality

The Irish Sun

time7 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

Man Utd consider charging fans £4,000 to reserve season tickets at new stadium – with 20,000 seats saved for hospitality

MANCHESTER UNITED'S new stadium could include 20,000 'prawn sandwich brigade' seats, with the club's owners planning a huge number of VIP and hospitality areas. United legend Roy Keane once famously took aim at the club's match-going home supporters before a Champions League group stage tie against Dynamo Kiev in 2000 - stating they were too busy eating prawn sandwiches rather than creating an atmosphere inside the Theatre of Dreams. 2 Man United fans could pay up to £4k to reserve a season ticket at the new stadium Credit: AFP 2 20,000 seats are set to be reserved for hospitality Credit: Foster + Partners Owners the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe appear to have ignored the former midfielder's rant by considering plans to dramatically increase corporate capacity, to help cover the cost of the £2billion build. Club chiefs have big plans, including hospitality areas on both sides of the halfway line and even pitch side. United are also considering selling long-term season ticket contracts, which could involve paying around £4,000 to secure a season ticket for 15 years or more - the FA uses a similar idea to enable England fans to secure season tickets for a number of years at a time. Officials are also considering bringing in a 'premium season ticket model' that would involve fans paying an additional sum on top of standard season ticket prices, to receive benefits such as a better chance of securing away tickets and access to concert tickets. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL The plans were revealed after United recently invited supporters to take part in discussions about the proposed 100,000-seater super ground they are planning to build near their current home. Club chiefs are also considering an American-style matchday experience, including 360-degree screen bars, a large number of smaller merchandise outlets instead of a single megastore, plus food and drink stalls. They are also looking into plans to allow fans freedom to move around the concourse to meet family and pals before matches. United also told fans that 2031/32 remains the target for the stadium opening. Most read in Football SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN The club is expected to launch a large survey next month to hear fans' views. A source said the club wanted to gauge reactions from fans on a range of early ideas and themes which included different price points for tickets and other products. One fan criticised the forum, details of which were leaked online, describing them as a 'sad reality of what's to coming'. More to follow... THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video . Like us on Facebook at

Joey O'Brien urges Shelbourne to show no fear in Baku
Joey O'Brien urges Shelbourne to show no fear in Baku

RTÉ News​

time8 hours ago

  • RTÉ News​

Joey O'Brien urges Shelbourne to show no fear in Baku

Shelbourne boss Joey O'Brien took heart from his team having "a right cut off" Qarabag in the second half of Wednesday night's Champions League second-round qualifier, but bemoaned the fact it took 45 minutes for his players to really back themselves at Tolka Park. The champions of Azerbaijan exhibited plenty of class in a 3-0 victory, effectively killing the tie ahead of the return leg in Baku next Wednesday. However, Shels had their moments. Sean Gannon hit the post in the seventh minute, Paddy Barrett clipped the crossbar when it was still only 1-0, while Harry Wood spurned a great opening in an improved second-half showing. There's no shame in losing to such seasoned European campaigners, and Shels do have the safety net of falling into the Europa League third qualifying round regardless, but O'Brien was adamant they'll go to Baku to put up a fight, and prove they've learned some harsh lessons. "I thought second half we were the better team," he said. "We got in their face, we looked stronger and fitter. Again, the lads will learn from it, they see it. "For me, respect on a football pitch is a fear, you know? "You're afraid of the mistake, or you're afraid of the outcome of what might happen. I have no time for that. "I said it to the lads, it's the way I was as a player and a coach and the way I want to be as a manager. "I wanted to make sure in the second half, regardless of the result, that we had a right cut off them and I felt for large periods we done that." Qarabag - still in their pre-season - had some standout performers in Dublin, particularly Emmanuel Addai, Nariman Akhundzade and their captain Abdellah Zoubir, who once played under Pat Fenlon at Hibernian. O'Brien admitted the pace and precision of their play caught out Shels in the first half. "It's quality, you are preparing them," he said. "You've seen the video, you are doing as much as you can, the lads knew what they were playing against. You would have known the style of play. "Until you get on the pitch, you get so familiar against players in the (League of Ireland) week in, week out, you are coming up against these boys, you never see it until they are on the pitch. "The level they operate at is higher than our domestic football. "The touch, the speed. You see that in the first 10, 20 minutes and get a feel for in the game, you realise you can't make that first pass, or second pass and need to go direct and get down the sides of them, that's where we got the benefit of that. "These games, they are so demanding, your fitness level goes up. Your mind, your concentration. It happens because it's the level you are operating at. It's sink or swim time. "We've got to learn from the mistakes because there's another few weeks of this and a huge game coming down the line." A nasty looking injury to Tyreke Wilson was another dark cloud on a disappointing evening for Shelbourne; the full-back was in a lot of pain after landing awkwardly on his ankle when contesting a challenge. He'll be assessed today as Shels return to training to try and cook up a plan to trouble Qarabag on their own patch in what is likely to be 30-degree-plus heat. "It's a great game of football travelling over to a place where it's difficult to play," O'Brien insisted. "They are a super team at home. We knew this was our night to have a right good go. "That's not to say we are going to go over there and roll over. That's not football for me, it's preparing a game plan to go out and attack the game and make an upset again "The second half, I thought we were really good. If you get 1-1, who knows? The atmosphere is up and stuff like that. We didn't. This is the level, that's the standout thing. "It's a huge game (in Baku), another game, Champions League round two, second leg away from home, stuff you dream of as a kid. "I'd love to think (the players) are already thinking about it, and see if they can go over and take learnings from who they were up against and if they were disappointed in their own performance, try and put on a better performance next week."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store