Latest news with #ColinFortune
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Athlone Town can catapult club onto European stage, but stiff Cardiff City challenge awaits
Women rule right now within the oldest League of Ireland club and Athlone Town can catapult themselves onto the European stage by scalping Cardiff City tonight (7.30pm). Despite the men's team languishing at the bottom of the First Division, their female equivalents top their national league and are in position to retain their title. Domestic demands are halted while this week's itinerary revolves around the club's first European exposure since the men's side hosted Standard de Liège in 1983. Women's manager Colin Fortune thanked the club's new investor, US-businessman Nick Giannotti, for helping the Town cement home advantage for this first qualifying series. It's only two months since an Irish woman, Katie McCabe, lifted the trophy for Arsenal. They take on a Cardiff side who've won the Welsh title three years in a row, outright favourites to advance through this one-off tie to meet Croatian side ZNK Agram on Saturday – also at Athlone Town Stadium. Athlone are content to be outsiders. Their squad is composed of many players across the Midlands regions but there's an international dimension, courtesy of canny recruitment by club contacts. American Maddie Gibson was a mainstay of Athlone's recent successes, their 2023 FAI Cup triumph followed by a first league title in their history. Another New Yorker, Kelly Brady, linked up this season, claiming the May player of the month and dashing to the top of the scoring charts. The striker was familiar with the Irish set-up from declaring through her parents from Monaghan and Galway. She's settled into life in Athlone, complementing her football by undertaking another passion, working as a Barista. 'Everybody has helped me feel part of the set-up and it helps that myself and Maddie are in the same house,' said Brady. 'Champions League football is what I watched back in America growing up, even if I had to explain to people back home that we don't get to play Chelsea yet.' Brady shone in the home-based international assessment but has yet to hear from Ireland manager Carla Ward. Slaying the Dragons would change that.
The 42
3 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Athlone Town sweat on fitness of key trio ahead of 'massive' Champions League qualifier
ATHLONE TOWN ARE sweating on the fitness of key players Madie Gibson, Kelly Brady and Izzy Groves ahead of their historic Uefa Women's Champions League qualifier. Colin Fortune's side face Welsh outfit Cardiff City at Athlone Town Stadium on Wednesday [KO 7.30pm, live on LOI TV], with over 1,000 tickets snapped up. But the Women's Premier Division champions have several injury concerns. Attacking star Gibson went off injured in last Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Treaty United, while captain Groves hasn't played since last month's FAI Cup win over Terenure Rangers. In-form striker Brady is also a doubt after coming off against Treaty, but is hopeful she can be available. 'We're assessing them. They're massive players,' Fortune told reporters on a Zoom call this afternoon. Advertisement 'We're going to assess them again tonight. We're getting a lot of rehab and physio done with them. We're hopeful, but at this point, we're still a little bit out and it's very hard to make a call on it yet. 'The Treaty game thrown in when it was didn't help us, I don't think we're developed for that yet, them type of games coming around as quick as they did, I don't think we're ready for that and it's done a bit of damage to us in relation to our preparation. 'Listen, that's it. We move on. If the guys are available, brilliant. You want them players available, the experience they bring, but if they're not, we've other players ready to come in. We'll get behind whatever 11 players are on the pitch — it's not even the 11, it's about the squad, it's about the 24, 25 players we have. 'We'll give Cardiff a right go no matter who's on the pitch.' While Athlone remain unbeaten atop the Women's Premier Division table, Cardiff City — the reigning Welsh double champions — come into this tie out of season. It's their third consecutive Champions League appearance, while Athlone are making their debut in European women's competition. Athlone Town manager Colin Fortune. James Lawlor / INPHO James Lawlor / INPHO / INPHO 'It's massive for us, it really is,' said Fortune. 'The atmosphere around Athlone at the minute is really, really electric. Every person you meet on the street is talking about this Champions League game. 'The opportunity for us to host a Champions League game . . . it's '83 since we hosted Standard Liège last. That's a long, long time for a club like Athlone. I know in recent history Athlone hasn't been in a good place, but the women's team have been in a good place. They've been very, very good. 'This is massive for our club, it's massive for the community, it's massive for the football people of Athlone. Athlone town is a football town. Something like this might just get people back on side, get people back supporting the club.' The winners of Wednesday's first qualifying round semi-final face ŽNK Agram of Croatia in the final at Athlone Town Stadium on Saturday.
RTÉ News
23-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Treaty battle back to earn a point against Athlone
Champions Athlone Town were held by a gallant Treaty United at the Markets Field, an outcome that pushes Colin Fortune's side three points clear at the top of the Women's Premier Division. Kayleigh Shine's opener for the visitors was cancelled out by a stunning Katie Lawlee strike. With Cardiff City to come in an historic Champions League tie next week, Athlone could have been forgiven for looking beyond the Shannonsiders. Isabel Ryan replaced Madison Gibson from the draw with Galway United last Saturday, showing Colin Fortune was focused on this tie. Treaty, meanwhile were looking to build on an impressive away success against Cork City. Sean Russell's side have been competitive all season. This is a first draw and perhaps turning defeats into draws will be key to a successful campaign. Treaty had earlier spurned chances through Madelyn Robbins – the second of which saw her race clear following a Isabella Flocchini pass – only for Megan Plaschko to speed out to deny her with a superb save. Less than 100 seconds later, the ball was in the net at the other end. After hesitation in the home defence, the home side conceded a needless corner-kick. Katie Shine's well weighted corner kicked dipped perfectly beneath the bar and was over the line before a defender or attacker could get a touch. It gave the Midlanders the early advantage and appeared to knock United after a high-energy start. Kelly Brady struck the bar from an acute angle on 18 minutes, her left-footed effort perhaps needed to be guided across the keeper, rather than a blasted effort from ten was inches away from doubling the lead on the half-hour, springing the cover only to shoot narrowly wide across Lawlee thundered in an equaliser on the stroke of half-time. The Limerick native waited for a cut Madelyn Robbins cutback and after a wonderful first touch, blasted in off the underside of the bar from just inside the was the first goal conceded by on the road by Athlone, with four successful shutouts a big reason they are top of the a cagey second period, both had half chances to take the spoils. Lawlee again for Treaty, but Athlone came closest. Another Shine corner caused another issue late on, but Athlone struggled to penetrate the defence led superbly by Mara McCleary. Lucy Fitzgerald, however, passed up a golden opportunity in stoppage now prepare for that huge Champions League clash with Welsh champions, Cardiff on Wednesday next. The fixture may evoke memories of their men's side entertaining AC Milan in 1975. The winners will play ZNK Agram, also in Athlone, on 2 August. Treaty United: Liisa Tuomi; Grace McInerney, Mara McCleary, Aibhlinn Cotter, Ayaka Ikeza (Laura O'Neill 90); Kate Jones, Jillian O'Toole, Madison McGuane (Cara Griffin 82), Isabella Flocchini; Madelyn Robbins (Ciara Breslin 65); Katie Lawlee.
