Limerick FC opposition watch: Athlone Town

Limerick FC welcome third place Athlone Town to the Markets Field on Friday night looking to secure their third consecutive league victory in a row (7.45).

It will certainly be a tough game for the home side as Athlone have made a good start to the league season and have secured three wins from five matches. The most notable win came away against promotion favourites Bray.

Last season was an utterly abysmal one for the Midlands club which started with Aaron Callaghan as manager and ended with his assistant Terry Butler agreeing to stay on following Callaghan’s resignation.

With some of the lowest attendances in the club’s history including a game which was watched by just 77 people, along with two players receiving 12 month suspensions for alleged match fixing, 2019 couldn’t have been much worse than its predecessor.

Despite winning just one game, which was awarded to Athlone after Wexford were found guilty of fielding an ineligible player, Butler agreed to stay on for this season and the former Bohemians coach has been given more financial backing.

Things are looking up for the Midlands club now. Athlone Town Stadium hosts many underage Ireland games and the main stand is one of the best in the league since its arrival in 2007. Also, the club have installed an astroturf pitch at their home ground.

The likes of Rhys Gorman, Darren Meenan, Kaleem Simon and Kealan Dillon give the club plenty of premier division experience on the pitch. Although the latter three all play behind striker Dean Williams where Limerick are very experienced in defence.

Many people expected Athlone to struggle again but so far they have secured three wins. Although many will point to the fact that two of those win came against Cobh and Wexford, a big win against Bray should not be scoffed at.

Captain Aaron Brilly is one of the few players to remain at the club since last season and is a highly thought of defender. The battle between winger Darren Meenan and either Shaun Kelly or Shane Tracy depending on Meenan’s positioning, will be a key one tomorrow night. Meenan may lack the pace of yesteryear which will aid Limerick.

Striker Dean Williams is currently on loan from Shamrock Rovers and is making an impact for Athlone with two goals from five appearances but local media and teammates expect positive performances to continue from the young man.

Athlone are likely to line out with a back four including Brilly, Gavin Kearney and Lloyd Buckley although the visitors have used at least six players in defence already this season.

Cabinteely manager Pat Devlin claimed that his side were bullied by a clever and experienced Limerick side last week and he was correct, but Athlone’s squad has more balance than their Dublin counterparts.

However, if Athlone were to include the likes of Rhys Gorman to add experience, it may work to Limerick’s advantage. Gorman was far from impressive against the Shannonsiders for Bray last season and the likes of Sean McSweeney could cause damage in that area, building on a good attacking display last week.

With just one point between the sides, it is sure to be a tight game. Either side can jump a couple of places with a victory and with other results going their way. With just three defeats between them in ten games and only nine goals conceded, it may be a night for patience for both sides.