1 v 3 
ShelbourneDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 July 2021 | 7:45 pm | LOI Men's First Division | 2021 |
Match Report
Shels deliver in Athlone
Shelbourne got back to winning ways after a 3-1 victory on the road to Athlone Town tonight.
The visitors got a scare just five minutes in when the hosts scored from a corner, but from that point on they put the pedal down and went into the break ahead. They never looked back from that point on.
Athlone got off to an absolute dream start. Five minutes in, Kurtis Byrne whipped in a corner from the left. Stephen Meaney met the ball with pace, and it flew into the Shelbourne net. There was nothing goalie Brendan Clarke could’ve done.
However, it wasn’t long before the league leaders would find their feet. Their first clear cut chance came on the 18th minute mark, when a corner whipped to the back stick was headed back across by Ally Gilchrist. Michael O’Connor pounced, but missed the target. It proved to be a warning shot.
Athlone wouldn’t get away with it again. In the 22nd minute, Dayle Rooney hit a cross from the far left that made Shane Farrell work to meet it. He did so at the back post, beating Schlingermann at his near post. Shels had the lead and now were ready to kick on.
Ten minutes out from half time, they had a great chance to take the lead twice, all within the span of 30 seconds. First, Jamie Hollywood cleared the ball off the line after a corner came in from the right. Then, from the ensuing corner, Luke Byrne hit the underside of the bar. It was clear what way this one was going.
Athlone nearly held on until half time, but it wasn’t to be. Clarke launched a long ball forward that bounced through for O’Connor.
He attempted to beat Schlingermann at his near post, but the League of Ireland veteran tipped it off the post. Unfortunately, it fell perfectly for Dale Rooney, who sent it in from inches out. Deserved, but a gut punch for Athlone.
The second half was not as eventful as Shels sought to see it out. Half chances came for either side, with Athlone right back Aidan Friel trying his luck from far out just under five minutes in. His effort steered well clear of the net, however.
Ian Morris’ men had the chance to wrap it up not long after. Farrell looked to turn provider when he held up the play and thread through JR Wilson on the right for a crack at goal. Wilson’s effort was tipped over by backup keeper Kayleum Rice, who came on for an injured Schlingermann. Despite the score, Rice put in a solid debut.
The next real Shels chance was fatal. In the 88th minute, Athlone failed to deal with a ball into the box, which bounced around. It fell to Rooney, who again got on it from close range to wrap up the points. A man of the match performance from Rooney, providing one and bagging two of his own.
For Athlone, not much could be done. They put up a valiant effort, but were simply outplayed by the best team in the league.
Shelbourne on the other hand extend their lead at the top after results elsewhere. The unbeaten streak has not been touched heading into cup week. If promotion for this side isn’t inevitable. I don’t know what is.
Timeline
| Stephen Meaney | 5' | |
| 22' | 17. Shane Farrell | |
| 8. Kurtis Byrne | 44' | |
| 45' | 8. Dayle Rooney | |
| 5. Daniel McKenna | 46' | |
| Micheál Schlingermann Kayleum Rice | 46' | |
| 13. David Brookes | 60' | |
| David Brookes Jack Reynolds | 70' | |
| Kurtis Byrne Brandon McCann | 70' | |
| Stephen Meaney Lee Duffy | 75' | |
| Aidan Friel Ray O'Sullivan | 75' | |
| 88' | 8. Dayle Rooney | |
| 90' | John Ross Wilson Michael Barker | |
| 90' | Shane Farrell Alex Nolan |
Past Meetings
|
(Series 10)
5 - 0LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park Shelbourne v Athlone Town |
|
(Series 7)
1 - 0LOI Men's First Division
Tolka Park Shelbourne v Athlone Town |
|
(Series 1)
0 - 2LOI Women's Premier Division
Athlone Town Stadium Athlone Town v Shelbourne |
|
(Quarter Final)
4 - 1FAI Cup
Athlone Town Stadium Athlone Town v Shelbourne |
|
(Series 4)
0 - 3LOI Women's Premier Division
Athlone Town Stadium Athlone Town v Shelbourne |
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 and the league leaders go marching on. Despite the bad start, they turned it around and thoroughly dominated. They increase their lead at the summit of the first division table now
The pair are replaced by Michael Barker and Alex Nolan.
Final subs of the game. Wilson and Farrell are off.
Rooney gets his second from close range after some ping pong in the Athlone box. Three points are a given now.
Ryan McManus on.
Ryan Brennan off
Shels nearly struck back on the counter, but Athlone held well.
Off the wall for a corner to Athlone.
Late free kick for Athlone. Could be ideal for Daly.
The pair are replaced by Duffy and O'Sullivan.
Last rolls of the dice for Carberry. Meaney and Friel make way.
The pair are replaced by Brandon McCann and Jack Reynolds, respectively.
Substitution for Athlone at the water break. Kurtis Byrne, who seems injured, makes way alongside David Brookes
Half an hour to go and Brookes heads into the book after a late challenge on Wilson, who needed treatment.
Backup goalie Kayleum Rice pulls off a great save after a JR Wilson effort. Farrell had set up the chance after threading through Wilson on the right, but his effort was tipped onto the bar and over by Rice.
Friel with the first effort of the second half tries one from far out but it never even looked like going in. Decent bit of play from Athlone.
McKenna booked early on here.
Replaced by Kayleum Rice.
Meanhwile, Schlingermann is off for Athlone.
Shelbourne to get us underway for the second half.
Half time and the league leaders deservedly go into the break ahead. Since the nightmare start, they've controlled possession and had the most chances. Hard to see them looking back in this one now.
The visitors lead on the brink of half time. Brendan Clarke launches a long ball, which rolls through to Michael O'Connor, whose effort is saved by Schlingermann. Unfortunately for Schlingermann, the save hit the post and fell perfectly for Rooney who couldn't miss. Perfect time for a goal.
Three minutes added on.
Mistimed tackle from Byrne sees him enter the book.
Incredible successive chances from corners for Shelbourne. First, Jamie Hollywood clears a header off the line. Then, they hit the underside of the bar before Athlone clear from the following corner. The home side are on the ropes here.
The equaliser is deserved. Shels had nearly all the chances since the opener and got closer each time. Will be looking to kick on now.
Farrell equalises for the league leaders after meeting a cross from the back post and beating Schlingermann at his near post.
O'Connor misses a sitter after Gilchrist headed the ball down to him form a corner. Athlone might not get away with that again.
Athlone started unbelievably well and were rewarded, but the game has started to settle now. Shels will have to rely on staying calm to get through this one. Visitors yet to have a clear cut chance.
Goal for Athlone! Kurtis Byrne whips in a corner from the left and the ball is met by Stephen Meaney!
Athlone get us underway.
The aforementioned Denzil Fernandes finds himself on the Shelbourne bench. For Athlone, Shane Barnes still appears to be out with that injury that forced him to miss last weeks win in Cabinteely right before kickoff. Stephen Meaney retains his place.
Athlone's is now in too.
Shels lineup is now in.
Still awaiting the starting XI from either side. Shelbourne did confirm however yesterday on their website that Denzil Fernandes is available for selection again, but Yoyo Mahdy and Gerardo Bruna are still out due to injury.
Like most the country, it's an absolute scorcher in Athlone tonight, with the temperature currrently reaching 24 degrees. A perfect evening for League of Ireland football.
Hello and welcome to finalwhistle.ie for tonight's coverage of Athlone Town vs Shelbourne in the first division, I'm Seán Comber and I'll be updating you on the game throughout the night.