Athlone Town 1 - 1 Kilkenny City

**atfconline** · 25/10/2002, 10:23 PM

Athlone Town picked up a point at home to Kilkenny City this evening in Saint Mel's Park in the eircom League First Division.

After some poor recent performances at home and away, Athlone came out all guns blazing and Henry Kenny, Gary Devine and Stephen Mullin all had chances in the opening five minutes. On the fifteen minute mark, Michael Harney found himself in the Kilkenny area with his back to goal. However the fiery young midfielder just wasn't able to turn quick enough and a Kilkenny defender was able to clear the danger. Two minutes later he made up for that missed chance as he headed home an Eric Molloy corner. Town continued to put pressure on Kilkenny and limited them to about three half chances in the whole first half.

In the second half, Kilkenny came abit more into the game with a very strong wind behind them. Athlone still had chances but they also gave away a lot of ball and let Kilkenny put them under pressure. Still Kilkenny never really threatened Pail Brennan's goal, that is until the ninety fifth minute. In the dying moments Athlone had pushed forward into the Kilkenny area but substitute Damien Rushe was ruled offside. City keeper David O'Neill took the resultant free kick from his hands, pumping it upfield into the Athlone box. The ball took one bounce and was headed home by Alan O'Connor. The referee then blew full time as Athlone re-started from the centre circle.

This was a game that Athlone deserved to win. From the kickoff they gave everything they had and to drop two points the way they did must be sickening. Nobody can really be blamed for the goal. The ref was entitled to play the amount of extra time he did considering all the substitutions and they were also two long breaks for injuries in the second half. It's just a pity that he didn't blow his whistle as O'Neill took his kickout as everyone would have expected!

Athlone are back in action next Sunday 3rd November when they travel to Century Homes Park to take on Monaghan United. Anybody interested in travelling to the game should contact the Supporters Club at 090 6494736 to book a place on the bus.

**Oh No** · 28/10/2002, 1:42 AM

'In the dying moments Athlone had pushed forward into the Kilkenny area but substitute Damien Rushe was ruled offside. City keeper David O'Neill took the resultant free kick from his hands, pumping it upfield into the Athlone box.'

From his hands!!!! I don't think so. You can't do that. If it was offside then advantage was allowed.

Anyway, you are very kind to ATFC as the display was poor and lacked belief. Jimmy too made silly substitutions which were uncalled for. Taking off forwards and replacing them with midfielders and defenders was asking for trouble.