Athlone Town FC and Athlone Institute of Technology announce Scholarship Trials
On January 5th 2013 Athlone Institute of Technology and Athlone Town FC will host Soccer Scholarship Trials at the AIT campus for students who wish to commence study at AIT next September. Roddy Collins and Athlone Town FC management will take training during the day and will assess those taking place for potential places in Athlone Town’s own squads through 2013.
Speaking about the day, club CEO John O’Sullivan stated “This marks another huge step forward for us in our relationship with Athlone institute of Technology. For the first time Athlone Town and AIT will come together to assess the best young players in the region and beyond. The best will be offered joint AIT-Athlone Town FC scholarships, allowing young players to pursue their education while growing as footballers with a progressive League of Ireland side. It’s a hugely exciting step forward.”
“The day will consist of a training session in the morning where players will be assessed, followed by lunch during which presentations on all aspects of life at Athlone Institute of Technology will be delivered. The afternoon session will consist of practice matches. It will also be the first day of Athlone Town FC’s own pre-season and a number of our prospective players will take part in the training sessions.”
To register please email your name, playing positions, club name and mobile number to Maz Sweeney, Soccer facilitator, Athlone Institute of Technology: maz.sweeney@fai.ie. For further details contact Gordon Brett, Sport and Recreation Manager, Athlone Institute of Technology: gbrett@ait.ie or John O’Sullivan, CEO Athlone Town FC: john.osullivan@athlonetownfc.ie. Athlone Institute of Technology and Athlone Town FC are Soccer scholarship partners but scholarships are also available for players attached to other clubs. We also invite applications from female soccer players.
For details on AIT academic courses please visit www.ait.ie.
Season Ticket Pre-Christmas Specials continue
Athlone Town have been delighted with the interest in our 2013 Season ticket package offer. The season ticket for 2013 will double as a loyalty card allowing the holder to avail of discounts and offers in the Midlands with a significant group of businesses already signed up as “season ticket partners”.
Speaking on the initiative Club CEO John O’Sullivan stated “the effect of creating a joint season ticket and loyalty card is twofold. It will offer supporters the opportunity to save money throughout the year, we’re confident those savings could actually exceed the value of the season ticket itself. Secondly, it allows us to direct Athlone town fans to those businesses which support the club; it’s hugely important to us that we give something back to those businesses who give so much.” The Season ticket will be a durable, distinctive credit card size and will be posted to holders early in the New Year. For those wishing to give a season ticket as a gift, a specially designed certificate will be available.
The Season Ticket partner scheme will be formally launched in the new year, but until Christmas season tickets are available at the following low prices; Adult €100, Student/OAP €50, Child [U16] €45. Children’s season tickets will include a free Athlone Town 2013 jersey [RRP €40] which will be delivered to our young supporters before the start of the season.
After Christmas the Season ticket will still offer remarkable value with prices of Adult €125, Student/OAP €60 and Child €50.
Airtricity U19 League: Longford Town 1-2 Athlone Town FC
Athlone Town extended their unbeaten League run to ten games and bounced back from the disappointment of their Cup exit last weekend with a spirited display to come from behind and defeat local rivals Longford Town in Flancare Park on Saturday. The victory was made all the more impressive as Athlone played without some of their regular starters and furthermore played the final thirty minutes with ten men, following the dismissal of Jordan Conroy early in the second half.
After an opening where both sides enjoyed spells of possession, without the creation of many opportunities, it was the home side who struck first. Longford Town won a corner which was finished well past the returning Jamie Coyne after the Athlone defence had only partially cleared the initial cross. The early goal spurred Athlone into action and over the remainder of the half the away side enjoyed the bulk of the possession but Longford defended resolutely and their goal went untroubled for the most of the half. Just prior to half time, Jordan Conroy broke free in the box and was pulled down, but the referee waved what looked like a strong case for an Athlone penalty.
Soon after half time Ethan Keogh broke free into the Longford penalty area and the Longford Keeper was somewhat harshly adjudged to have fouled him. There were no arguments from the away side though, having been denied what looked a clearer penalty claim just before the break, and Ian Sweeney stepped up and scored. Almost immediately after the equaliser, Athlone found themselves reduced to ten men after a strange incident where an interaction between Jordan Conroy and a member of the crowd watching the game saw the referee produce a straight red card for the Athlone player.
Reduced to ten men, it would have been expected that the management team would sit back and attempt to hold out for the draw, but manager Micky Collins showed tremendous faith in the character of his squad and made the bold decision to retain two up front, bring newly signed Campion from the bench and encourage his players forward. The strategy worked and Athlone were much the better side for the final half hour with Roy King and Alex Scully in particular performing well in what was over all a great team performance. The team got the result they deserved when Campion cut inside and his cross was prevented by the outstretched hand of a Longford defender. Ian Sweeney stepped up to score his second penalty of the day, securing the win.
The result maintains the gap over second placed Limerick FC who had a very impressive 9-0 victory over Wexford Youths on Sunday. With many regular starters out and the difficulties faced during the game, this might be a match that all associated with the club look back on as a vital one, showing the strength in depth and character of this young squad.
Athlone Town FC: Coyne, Monaghan, Scully, Brooks, Byrne, King, McAvoy, Sweeney, Conneely [Sub: Campion] Keogh, J. Conroy
