Wikipedia

Athlone Town A.F.C.

Athlone Town Association Football Club is an Irish football club from Athlone who are playing in the League of Ireland. The club is the oldest in the League as it was founded in 1887.[3] First elected to the League of Ireland in 1922, they play their home matches in Lissywollen, their new stadium which opened in 2007. The Athlone Town AFC Women's team were established in 2020 and have been very successful in their few shorts years, winning multiple League and Cup titles.

Athlone Town
Full nameAthlone Town Association Football Club
NicknameThe Town
Founded1887; 139 years ago (1887)
GroundAthlone Town Stadium, Lissywollen, Athlone
Capacity5,000 (2,500 seated)
ChairmanNick Giannotti[1]
ManagerIan Ryan[2]
LeagueLeague of Ireland First Division
2026League of Ireland First Division, 7th of 10
Websiteathlonetownafc.ie

History

edit

Athlone Town played their first official game on 9 February 1887 against Castlerea F.C. of Roscommon. The friendly match finished in a goalless draw.[4] Initially, the club played their matches at the Sports Ground in Athlone.[5]

1920s

edit

Athlone first competed at a national level in the 1922–23 season. They became the first club from outside the capital city of Dublin to join the newly renamed Free State League.[5] The club ended their maiden campaign in sixth place.

In 1924, Athlone Town won the FAI Cup, their first domestic success, beating Fordsons. Dinny Hannon scored the only goal of the game, as Athlone went through the whole competition without conceding a goal.

Hannon was one of five Athlone Town players chosen to represent the Irish Free State at the 1924 Paris Olympic Games. The other players were Tommy Muldoon, Frank Ghent, John Joe Dykes and Paddy O'Reilly.[6] In 1926, Athlone Town moved into a new home at the Ranelagh Grounds. The Westmeath club remained in the League of Ireland until the end of the 1927–28 season when, following a poor season in which the team finished bottom of the table, they resigned from the league.[7]

The club were also knocked out of FAI Cup in the first round after a 9–3 defeat to then non-league Drumcondra. Athlone, who were also in a perilous position financially, opted to return to provincial football and Drumcondra took their place in the league.

Athlone Town moved into their new home at St. Mel's Park in 1929 after two seasons spent at Ranelagh Gardens.[8] Prior to then the club played at the town’s Sportsground.

In the 1950s, Athlone Town had a team competing in the Athletic Union League. They also entered a side into the FAI Junior Cup.[9]

Intermediate football

edit

Athlone Town were elected to the Intermediate-level League of Ireland B Division as founder members in 1964–65.[9][10] The club reached the FAI Intermediate Cup final in 1967–68, losing 1–0 to Home Farm after a replay, but won the B Division's Castrol Trophy.[9]

The Castrol Trophy was retained for the 1968–69 season and Athlone also won the league title's Blackthorn Trophy, finishing six points ahead of their closest rivals in the B Division; St. Patrick's Athletic. Athlone also reached the semi-final of the Leinster Senior Cup losing 0–1 to Bohemians.[9]

League return and European competition

edit
Chart of yearly table positions for Athlone Town in League of Ireland

Athlone Town were elected back into the League of Ireland for the 1969–70 season. Although they finished tenth in the league, Athlone won the Leinster Senior Cup, beating Shelbourne 4–0 in the final.[9] The club finished second in the league in the 1974–75 season, earning a place in the UEFA Cup, the first time they had ever qualified for European competition.[9] Their first-round game was against Norwegian side Vålerenga who they beat 3–1 at home before drawing 1–1 in Oslo. Athlone's second round tie was against Italian side AC Milan, drawing 0–0 in the first leg at St. Mel's Park, setting a record attendance of 9,000 before losing the second leg at the San Siro 3–0.[11][12] Athlone closed out the decade with a trophy when they beat St. Patrick's Athletic to win the League Cup for the first time in 1979–80.[13][14]

Domestic success

edit

Athlone won their first league title in the 1980–81 season.[11][15][12] This qualified them for the European Cup, where they played KB the following season. Although Athlone earned a draw in Denmark, they went out on away goals after a 2–2 draw in the return leg at St. Mel's Park.[16] The 1981–82 season also saw the club win the League Cup for a second time, beating Shamrock Rovers in the final.[13] However, Athlone failed to retain their league title that year, finishing fourth.[15]

Athlone Town were again crowned league champions in the 1982–83 season and qualifying for Europe, and also retained the League Cup, beating Dundalk. Their opponents in Europe on this occasion were Belgian outfit Raymond Goethals managed Standard Liège, losing 3–2 at home and 8–2 in Liège.

In 1985 six new clubs were elected to the league, increasing the league's participation to 22. As a result, the current two division (Premier and First) structure was adapted with Athlone Town in Premier Division. In 1987 the club finished last and were relegated to the First Division. Their stay there was short, finishing top of First Division the following season, gaining promotion to the Premier Division. The club remained in the top flight until the 1991–92 season, when they finished eleventh and were subsequently relegated to the First Division.

Athlone Town again gained promotion to the Premier Division in the 1993–94 season, finishing runners-up to Sligo Rovers that season.

The club were once again relegated in 1996, narrowly missing out on promotion in 2001 by one point to Monaghan United.

New Stadium in Lissywollen

edit

In 2007 the club moved from St Mel's Park to a new stadium, which was opened on 9 March when the home side hosted Kilkenny City in the opening game of the season. The new stadium features a single stand with a capacity of close to 2,000 seated spectators.

On 15 December 2008, the club held an emergency E.G.M. with supporters stating that they were in financial difficulties. Part finance had been raised and the club worked towards raising the rest. The club received funds through the patron scheme with over 350 fans contributing.

On 27 September 2013, Athlone clinched the First Division title with a 1–0 win over Waterford United.

In 2014, Athlone Town had a bad campaign in the Premier Division, finishing last in the championship, in the Leinster Senior Cup it was eliminated in the quarterfinals by St Patrick's Athletic, in the FAI Cup it was eliminated in the second round by Longford Town, and in the League Cup lost to Longford Town again in the first round. The club was relegated to the League of Ireland First Division.

In September 2017 the FAI banned goalkeeper Igors Labuts and midfielder Dragos Sfrijan for 12 months after a UEFA investigation found "clear and overwhelming betting evidence" of fixing of Athlone's 29 April match against Longford Town in the 2017 League of Ireland First Division.[17] The Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland said the decision was based on "half-baked innuendo".[18]

In 2018, a dispute over ownership of Athlone Town Stadium arose.[19][20][21]

In November 2020, Athlone Town lost 11–0 to Dundalk F.C. in the FAI Cup semi final, which set a new record for the biggest win by a team in the history of the competition.[22]

There are many youth teams, ranging from u13 boys' to u17 women's team.

In February 2026, the club announced changes at board level with Nick Giannotti, a shareholder in Plymouth Argyle and Larne F.C., becoming club chairman.[1][2]

Honours

edit

Source:[14][23][24][25][26]

Players

edit
As of 23 February 2026[27]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  IRL Brendan Clarke (captain)
2 DF  IRL Reece Webb
3 DF  IRL Kyle O'Connor
4 DF  IRL Oisin Hand
5 DF  IRL Evan O'Connor
6 MF  IRL Aaron Moloney (on loan from Shelbourne)
7 DF  IRL Derin Adewale (on loan from Shelbourne)
8 MF  IRL Aaron Connolly
9 MF  IRL Patrick Ferry
10 MF  IRL Robbie Lyons
11 MF  IRL Brian McManus
12 DF  BRA Tatá
13 GK  IRL Andrew Stuart Trainor
No. Pos. Nation Player
14 FW  IRL Gradi Lomboto
15 FW  IRL Colm Doyle
17 DF  IRL Conor Quinn
18 FW  IRL Alex Sheerin
19 MF  IRL Will Smith
21 FW  IRL Cillian Tollett (on loan from Galway United)
22 DF  LTU Rokas Katkausas
24 MF  MAS Callum Cleary
25 GK  IRL Conor Wall
28 MF  IRL Martin Scally
— FW  IRL Peter Grogan
— DF  IRL Jonathan Kehir

Technical staff

edit
Position Staff
Head coachIan Ryan
CoachEmmett Egan
KitmanEamon Cunningham
ChairmanJohn Hayden
CEOSteven Gray

Former managers

edit

Records and statistics

edit

Appearances

edit
  • Most appearances: Dennis Clarke (361)[12]

European record

edit

Overview

edit
Competition Matches W D L GF GA
European Cup
4
0
 2 2
7
14
UEFA Cup
4
1
2
1
4
5
TOTAL
8
1
3
4
11
19

Matches

edit
Season Competition Round Opponent Home Away Aggregate
1975–76 UEFA Cup 1R Norway Vålerengen 3–1 1–1 4–2
2R Italy Milan 0–0 0–3 0–3
1981–82 European Cup 1R Denmark KB 2–2 1–1 3–3 (a)
1983–84 European Cup 1R Belgium Standard Liège 2–3 2–8 4–11

References

edit
  1. 1 2 "Athlone Town AFC Confirm CLG Membership Update and Board Changes". Athlone Town AFC. 10 February 2026. Archived from the original on 10 February 2026. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
  2. 1 2 Giannotti, Nick (4 July 2025). "A Message from Nick Giannotti - Athlone Town AFC". Athlone Town AFC. Archived from the original on 4 July 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  3. ↑ Lynch, Frank (1991). A History of Athlone Town F.C. – the first 101 years. Athlone: None. p. 1. The record books give 1892 as the year of our founding ... as it was in that year that the club became affiliated to the Leinster Football Association, with the object of competing in the newly inaugurated Leinster Junior Cup. However, for the real date of birth we must refer to our esteemed local paper the Westmeath Independent, which in its issue dated 8 January 1887 stated 'We are in a position to announce that O.R. Coote Esq., Larkfield is organising a club under Association rules and already a large number of young men of the town have become members...'
  4. ↑ "A Look Back in Time: Athlone Town AFC's Historic First Official Game". Athlone Town AFC. 9 February 2024. Archived from the original on 23 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  5. 1 2 Thomas (28 October 2021). "1921-22 League of Ireland season - League of Ireland Seasons". League of Ireland Seasons. Archived from the original on 19 April 2026. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  6. ↑ Carey, Tadhg (2009). When We Were Kings – The Story of Athlone Town's 1924 FAI Cup Triumph. Athlone: Tadhg Carey. p. 9. That five of the winning team – Paddy O'Reilly, Tommy Muldoon, John Joe Dykes, Denis Hannon and Frank Ghent – would make history as the first Olympians to compete for the new Irish Free State later that same year in Paris only added to the fairytale.'
  7. ↑ Thomas (29 October 2021). "1927-28 Free State League season - League of Ireland Seasons". League of Ireland Seasons. Archived from the original on 13 May 2026. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  8. ↑ "Saint Mel's Park, Athlone: View Stadium". worldstadia.com. Archived from the original on 19 August 2019. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Jackie Quinn Obituary". sportsmanager.ie. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
  10. ↑ Quigley, Brian (18 April 2016). "To B or not to be Brian Quigley's thoughts on the League of Ireland B Division". leagueofireland.ie. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  11. 1 2 "It came on BBC News: 'In Ireland today, a team of postmen, butchers and bakers drew 0-0 with AC Milan'". The 42. 17 September 2020. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 "I visited my dad in the hospital, he was dying but he was giving out to me, 'you are supposed to be training tonight'". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 1 May 2026. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  13. 1 2 "Ireland League Cup Finals". www.rsssf.org. Archived from the original on 18 February 2026. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  14. 1 2 "Honours - Athlone Town AFC". Athlone Town AFC. Archived from the original on 21 February 2026. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  15. 1 2 "(Republic of) Ireland League Tables". www.rsssf.org. Archived from the original on 22 February 2026. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  16. ↑ "Athlone-KB 1981 History | UEFA Champions League". UEFA.com. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  17. ↑ "Athlone players suspended for match fixing to serve 12-month ban after appeal is thrown out". Independent.ie. 5 October 2018. Archived from the original on 8 November 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  18. ↑ "Athlone players banned for 12 months by FAI". RTÉ.ie. 7 September 2017. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  19. ↑ Carolan, Mary (19 February 2018). "Athlone Town Football Club secretary seeks to remove Athlone Stadium Ltd as trustee on property". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 13 July 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  20. ↑ Managh, Ray (30 August 2017). "Athlone Town FC wins right to draw down Government grant". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  21. ↑ "Dully v Athlone Town Stadium". vLex.com. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  22. ↑ "Dundalk put 11 past Athlone in record-breaking FAI Cup hammering". The42. 29 November 2020. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  23. ↑ "FAI Umbro Youth Challenge Cup Previous Winners". www.fai.ie. 2 February 2016. Archived from the original on 21 July 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  24. ↑ "FAI Junior Cup Winners". stadium.aviva.ie. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  25. ↑ Mark Herbert, Donie Butler (1994–95). FAI Yearbook & Diary 1995. Dublin: Sportsworld Ltd.
  26. ↑ Lynch, Frank (1991). A History of Athlone Town F.C: The First 101 Years. Athlone: Arcadia.
  27. ↑ "2025 Season Signings".
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Athlone_Town_A.F.C.&oldid=1359174644"