Athlone Town's Madie Gibson: ' I would say there is no pressure on us because we as a team are overlooked in the league'

Athlone Town are in the ascendancy.

Beating 2022 league and cup double winners Shelbourne at the tail end of last year, to clinch the FAI Cup, has solidified a change in a pattern – one in which the Town now vanquishes opposition who once cut them down.

Ciaran Kilduff's side finished in fifth place in the Women’s Premier Division table last season, 17 points behind a Peamount United side that they handily dispatched three goals to one a fortnight ago.

The Town has had the second-best start to date this season in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division, their only loss doled out by table leaders Galway United, whose form is so frightening it borders on supernatural.

Winger Madie (Madison) Gibson has played a key role in their competitive rise, along with her teammates and the club's coaching staff.

Extratime.com first wanted to know how the New Jersey native came to play in the League of Ireland.

“I came to play football in Ireland through my friend from college, Dana Scheriff.  She had come to Athlone Town first in 2022 and at the time I was in between clubs and was looking for a different experience.

“She reached out to me in the summer after suffering an ankle injury and asked if I would be interested in coming to play in Ireland.

“After talking with my family I decided I wanted to make the move in the hopes of playing with her again because of the special bond we had on and off the pitch in college.”

Gibson attended Monmouth University as a communications major, where she played soccer for five years.

The twenty-seven-year-old's achievements with her alma mater are eye-watering and add further context to the ability that she effortlessly displays on the pitch.

“Since I have been here we have improved immensely,” Gibson says, reflecting on Athlone’s progress since arriving in the Midlands.

“Even after losing key players… we continue to grow and get better. I think that says a lot about us and our resilience to win. I would say there is no pressure on us because we as a team are overlooked in the league and generally not expected to win.”

Nothing seems to weigh heavy on Gibson as she skates down the channels, the former Cape May resident providing the assist that sent the game far beyond the Pea's reach in Athlone's showboat victory over the reigning champions.

Gibson tells us that the significance of the result was not lost on the Town, who lined out at Lissywollen gunning for the win.

“We knew coming into the match that it was a big three points we needed to get. For our team, I think we have the same mentality for every match of wanting to win and doing anything to achieve that.”

“Even after going down 1-0, we remained calm and played our game and in the second half, we took control.

“One thing about Peamount is that they have multiple players that can score…they have a big offensive threat and I think we did well as a group to limit their chances.”

Kilduff's side's rise has not come out of the ether, The Town’s offensive statistics for 2023 showing promise for the season to follow.

Topping the passes into the final third ahead of cup rivals Shelbourne, the women from the heartlands led the line on deep completions, crosses, dribbles and most touches in the penalty area.

The Town have rebuilt themselves to be a formidable attacking force, with centre forward Casey Howe proving clinical in front of goal – yet Gibson and her teammates are not losing the run of themselves.

“It’s always a great feeling when you beat the champions from the year before,” she acknowledges.

“It definitely gives us confidence but we’re also realistic to the fact that every team this year will be competitive. Each week we want to be better no matter who we play.”

A closer look at last season's individual performances across the WLOI reveals Madie Gibson to be the standout attacking player, topping the assist table with 11.

The American also led the charge on key passes (3.3 per 90 minutes) ahead of Aine O’Gorman (2.6) and crosses made 5.12 (with 45% conversion) ahead of Rovers’ Lia O’Leary’s 4.5 (26%).

Gibson in addition spearheaded the attacking contribution table ahead of Aine O’Gorman and topped on offensive duels – Peamount United's Becky Watkins falling short just behind her.

Finally, she recorded the most dribbles on average per 90 minutes with 9.4 (65% conversion).

“As a winger, I always like to be able to connect with the centre forward,” Gibson tells us.

“It’s better for me to know where they’re going to be in the box when I’m trying to get a cross off. I feel like as the matches go on I have a better understanding of where Casey will make her run.

“I would say that has come from training and game time together. For me as a winger, I feel most accomplished when I can get an assist in a match.

“I feel as though that’s my job to set up players to score and it’s always a great feeling to be a part of a goal.”

Since Gibson arrived at Lissywollen, Athlone has faced Shelbourne eight times, drawing twice, winning two and losing four across all competitions – it’s a rivalry that Gibson relishes.

“Our biggest competition this year is Shelbourne, they are a great side and like to play football like our team. There will always be a sense of rivalry between us because of the big cup competitions we have faced in the past.”

Having lived now in Athlone Town for almost two years, we asked Madie what she liked best about making her home in the heartlands.

“My favourite thing about Athlone Town are the people involved with the club. They really do take care of you and care about the players which might seem simple but at some places it is hard to come by.”

So is a player of Madison Gibson's quality.

Stephen Bradley: ‘Our style of play wears teams down mentally and physically, and when that happens gaps appear and we exploit them’ - https://t.co/94rjArr8tjhttps://t.co/g8RDHgCULX

— extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) April 22, 2024