Athlone Town (H)

[culloty82]

One of the sides against whom we have a relatively decent H2H record, including that 2-0 win on the final weekend of last season. The big concern is where our goal drought is likely to be relieved, though Kelliher should be fit for a starting berth this week, and if as legendz proposed, Kevin Williams were to be recalled at the back, that would free up Brockwell to return to midfield. Alabi is once again available after his suspension, but there has been no update on Gleeson's fitness status. Athlone themselves are going through a rather indifferent run, and one can only hope for a major improvement in performance after never really being at the races away to Treaty.

[listowelceltic]

Win badly needed to lift the doom. Alabi back is a big boost. Hopefully this gives us more control in midfield with Brookwell. I'm going for a 3 0 nil win.

[legendz]

A win is badly needed alright. The last few games have been very frustrating to watch. Not sure why they've started to play such rush football. They created a lot of chances after going behind in those Dundalk and Bray games. All they were missing was putting the chances away. They have regressed since then. Be interesting to see the starting line up now in the next hour or so. A massive performance is needed to get back on track.

[legendz]

T. HIEMER
A. DUNNE
S. ALADESANUSI
C. MCQUEEN
S. O'CONNELL
N. BROOKWELL
R. TEAHAN
S. MCGRATH (C)
D. OKWUTE
L. PALMER
J. ADAMS

SUBS:
M RANDRIAMAMY, O CROWE, C MUJAGUZI, R KELLIHER, E HONKOLA, K WILLIAMS, C BROSNAN, F BARRETT, S STANIC-FLOODY.

Brookwell back in midfield as expected. Aladesanusi comes in at CB. Mujaguzi drops to the bench.

[legendz]

I'm going for a 3 0 nil win. On the ball! Great to be back to winning ways. A fully deserved win. Palmer took his goals well, some cross by McGrath for the first and there to provide for the second. Great to see RK get his goal. Hiemer possibly had his best game. Brookwell was immense back in midfield. Many, many positives!

[culloty82]

In the unlikely event we win the appeal, we'd now be up to 6th in the "As It Stands" table after the first quarter of the season (though either UCD or Longford would move ahead tomorrow), but regardless, great to move off the foot of the league.

[listowelceltic]

Agree on Heimer. Outstanding saves tonight at crucial stages. Wasn't overly impressed with him earlier in the season but tonight was good
On the game Kerry showed great energy from the off. Night and day from the last 2 games. Hopefully we don't see Brookwell in defence again, major difference to midfield. Sam did well on his return. We need to settle on a partner for Mcqueen.I think 4 if not 5 different guys have played beside him.
Great to see our strikers hitting form. Good options now.

Also shout out to the ultras who have really stepped it up this season. Never stopped singing. Makes a difference to the match experience.

[Zico]

Good win, early goals helped get confidence and belief back and saw it out well in the 2nd half (Heimer playing his part too),

Players repaid managers faith in a lot of them. Still not convinced in Dunne at RB, and definitely no more Brookwell at center half. Not sure what KW has done to fall so much out of favor? Where was Alabi tonight - mentioned during the week he was back from suspension and likely to play some part but then not even in the squad?

McGrath was his old self, Palmer an exciting prospect and took his goals well but the master himself (RK) showed how much we missed him with his hold up play, flick ons, taking full backs for a run down the sideline and then in the right place at the right time for his goal.

Only quarter of the season gone, need to back this up with a run of positive results, but if that Bray team can pick up 18 points for a round of fixtures then so can we!!!