First Division wrap: Athlone Town, Wexford & UCD all secure playoff spots

Athlone Town midfielder Aaron Connolly

Athlone Town midfielder Aaron Connolly Credit: Martin Doherty (ETPhotos)

Athlone Town walloped Cork City 4-1 on Friday night to secure their First Division playoff berth for the second year on the bounce.

The Co Westmeath side made the top-five last term and have backed it up this season with another playoff finish.

And they did it in style having fallen behind in the midlands against First Division champions Cork City. 

Ruairi Keating handed Tim Clancy’s side a 33rd minute lead though Kyle Robinson equalised before the break for Dario Castelo’s men.

And Robinson completed his hat-trick before the hour with two further strikes for the Co Westmeath side. Peter McGregor put the gloss on the victory late on.

Wexford also thumped Kerry 4-0 at home with Ethan Boyle, Sean McHale, Divin Isamala and Cian Curtis scoring to seal their top-five finish.

Kerry remain bottom of the First Division and they could remain there next at the end of the campaign should Longford Town defeat Cobh Ramblers on Saturday night.

Elsewhere, promotion contenders UCD drew 2-2 at the Markets Field against Treaty United.



Yoyo Mahdy gave the Shannonsiders an early lead though goals from Stephen Mohan and Adam Brennan put the Students in front.

Evan O’Connor, however, salvaged a point for Treaty in the 78th minute. 

Elsewhere, Bray Wanderers have almost secured a place in the First Division playoffs following a thrilling 2-2 draw against Finn Harps at home on Friday night. 

The Seagulls can secure a top-five finish next Friday night if they defeat Cobh Ramblers away in their final league game of the campaign.

But a draw would likely be enough given their far superior goal difference over Finn Harps - and that requires the Co Donegal side to win their remaining two league games against Wexford and Treaty United.



Despite chasing shadows for vast swathes of the first half, Harps took an unlikely lead into the interval when Tony McNamee opened the scoring in the 36th minute.

Though Guillermo Almirall levelled it for the hosts just 85 seconds into the second period before Success Edogun scored from the spot to retake the advantage for the Finn Park outfit.

Edogun’s goal looked as though it would win the tie, only for Shane Griffin to score less than two minutes to salvage a draw for the Wanderers before a crowd of 1,319 at the Carlisle Grounds.

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