1 v 0 
Galway WFCDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 October 2022 | 7:00 pm | LOI Women's Premier Division | 2022 |
Match Report
Devaney keeps Athlone title push alive
Athlone Town ensured they’re taking the title race right down to the wire with a 1-0 win over Galway WFC in Lissywollen this evening.
This was a very tight affair with little clear-cut chances. Muireann Devaney’s goal 24 minutes in proved to be the decider.
This game started off with little chances for either side all it took was for one to be taken to settle it. It came 24 minutes in after Galway failed to deal with a cross into the box.
Athlone played possession on the left-hand side and the ball was pulled back to Kate Slevin, who swung it in first time with a left footed cross. The ball fell down to Muireann Devaney, who took it first time and found the bottom right corner. From here on out, a nervy encounter ensued.
The closest either side came the rest of the half happened deep into injury time. Jenna Slattery had a very speculative effort, but it just dipped over the bar. Half time came and this one was still very much up for grabs.
Athlone nearly threw away their lead in the 49th minute. They got caught playing it out from the back and Julie Ann Russell dispossessed Kayleigh Shine. The Galway skipper was one on one with substitute keeper Bonnie McKiernan who kept her composure and denied her. Athlone could’ve counted themselves as extremely fortunate after this.
There were a few more nervy moments throughout the half. A dangerous header looped toward the Athlone net in the 64th minute and five minutes later, Chloe Singleton flicked a cross goalward that could’ve gone anywhere. On both occasions, McKiernan kept her cool and ensured her side stayed ahead.
Tensions rose slightly around the 70-minute mark. Singleton felt she had been fouled by Devaney during a passage of play and threw a sly forearm at her, but the ref spotted it and booked her.
A minute later Singleton was yet again applying herself which drew the ire of Athlone captain Laurie Ryan. The skipper gave Singleton a sly nudge that went unnoticed, but there weren’t really any flashpoints from here.
Athlone would ultimately see it out until the final whistle. Given the earlier result, a win next week coupled with a Shels-Wexford draw would see them enter a playoff with Shels for the league title. Peamount meanwhile, are officially out of the picture.
Past Meetings
|
(Round 14)
0 - 0LOI Women's Premier Division
Mervue United Galway WFC v Athlone Town |
|
(Round 4)
3 - 1LOI Women's Premier Division
Athlone Town Stadium Athlone Town v Galway WFC |
|
(Series 26)
1 - 1LOI Women's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park Galway WFC v Athlone Town |
|
(Series 17)
1 - 2LOI Women's Premier Division
Athlone Town Stadium Athlone Town v Galway WFC |
|
(Series 8)
3 - 4LOI Women's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park Galway WFC v Athlone Town |
|
(Series 3)
3 - 0LOI Women's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park Galway WFC v Athlone Town |
Ground
| Athlone Town Stadium |
|---|
| Athlone Town Stadium, Old Rail Trail, Garrycastle, Athlone East Rural Electoral Division, The Municipal District of Athlone — Moate, County Westmeath, Leinster, N37 N1F2, Ireland |
Full time. Huge relief for Athlone.
Athlone have a throw in over halfway into Galway's half, which feels huge.
Three minutes added on.
Gibson fires one over.
Ronayne almost drops a cross that would've given Athlone the two goal cushion they're craving.
Singleton, really in the thick of it, flicks a cross toward the Athlone net that McKiernan saves. Nerves throughout this ground.
Ryan gives Singleton a sly shove that goes unnoticed. Herself and Russell appeal to the fourth official. Tempers flaring.
Singleton felt she had been challenged aggressively by Devaney and threw a forearm at her. Ref saw it and deemed it a yellow. A red seemed like a real possibility.
A dangerous header loops towards the Athlone goal, but McKiernan collects it. Athlone living on the edge.
Athlone give the ball away in sloppy fashion and Galway have a free in a slightly dangerous area.
Singleton whips in a cross and McNamara meets it, but the touch isn't strong enough and the ball travels out of play.
Molloy cuts inside and has her effort tipped wide.
Wow! Russell dispossesses Shine and goes right through on goal, but McKiernan denies her. Could be a huge moment.
Back underway.
Half time.
A long ball to Molloy down the left sees her take it into the box and have an effort, but she's just wide.
Jenna Slattery has a pop from way out and it just goes over.
Four minutes added on.
Jessica Hennessy challenges Elle Rose O'Flaherty in the box and both go down. Hopefully nothing serious.
Whilst Athlone are about to swing in a free, there's a bit of argy bargy in the area. Ref defuses the situation.
Kinnevey with a last ditch clearance in the box. Corner Athlone.
The crowd has also received news from the Peamount v Wexford match. Mood is certainly up.
Unfortunately, Coombes has to make way.
Goal! Athlone have the breakthrough after a cross from the left falls to Devaney and she fires home!
We're cracking on and she's still on the pitch.
Coombes is down injured and there is somewhat of a delay.
Erickson gets a free header from a corner, but it's right at Coombes.
Just a minute later, Russell lays off Singleton down the other end. The Galway winger blazes it over and her bench shouts for a penalty, but nothing is given.
Keenan blocks down a Thompson clearance and Ronayne is forced to save it. Closest either side has come.
Hit the ten minute mark. Not a high intensity game thus far.
We are off.
Galway on the other hand have nothing to play for, but consider this as somewhat of a derby so will want the win. Both matches between the two this season have been close, so expect more of the same.
With Shels win over Sligo Rovers earlier, the title is potentially going to be decided by a playoff between themselves and Athlone. However, Athlone must win tonight and away to Bohs next week, while hoping Wexford v Peamount remains a draw and Shels draw with Wexford next week.
The teams are now in.
Hello and welcome to finalwhistle.ie for live text updates of this evening's WNL clash between Athlone Town and Galway WFC. I'm Seán Comber and I'll be updating you throughout.