Athlone Town 1 - 1 Waterford United

• Brendan White
• Sat, Jul 31 2010


Athlone Town came from behind to claim a point against promotion chasing Waterford United in Lissywoollen on Thursday night. Michael Schlingermann was Athlone’s hero as he produced three top class saves on the night to dent The Blues promotion ambitions.

Waterford United started the game the brighter and almost when ahead when Eoghan O’Shea headed onto his own crossbar within the first couple of minutes. The first chance of the game came from Paul Murphy but his 20 yards strike was touched over by Schlingermann.

Kevin Burns saved well from Shane Fitzgerald from close range as the score remained tied. Paul Murphy then had two chances to grab the opening goal. Quick thinking allowed the Wexford-native to position himself to fire a stunning first time volley just over Schlingermann’s crossbar from all of 30 yards.

Minutes later a clever backheel from Kiely allowed Murphy a first time shot at the Athlone Town goal. With the ball destined for the top corner, Schlingermann somehow managed to get a hand to it to superbly touch it onto the crossbar and over.

Murphy was again involved just before half time as he combined with Shane Barrett to set up John Kearney but his header was again saved by Schlingermann.

Ten minutes into the second half Waterford United grabbed the lead. Quick thinking from Blues ‘keeper Kevin Burns set Alan Carey away down the right wing. His attempted one-two with Kiely fortunately came back of the defender and Carey continued his run and whipped in a superb low cross where Kiely was on hand to fire home past Schlingermann.

With twenty minutes remaining Athlone levelled the game. Denis Moran fired in a corner from the left that wasn’t cut out at the front post and Paddy Collins poked the ball home from six yards.

Both sides pushed for a winning goal but it never came. Injuries to Athlone’s defender and goalkeeper took the pace out of the game. The two injuries and five substitutions somehow only brought four minutes of injury time but the crowd of 155 saw no more incidents of note and the teams had to settle for a draw.

Athlone Town: Michael Schlingermann, Wayne Colbert, Eoghan O’Shea, Paddy Collins, Des Hope, Denis Moran, Shane Fitzgerald (Kevin Williamson 79), Ryan McEvoy, Gordon Watson, Austin Skelly, Richie O’Hanlon (Jason Hughes 63).
Substitutes not used: Scott Gaynor, Dean Marshall, Stephen Relihan.

Waterford United: Kevin Burns, Alan Carey, Kevin Murray, Seamus Long, Michael Coady, Timmy Purcell (James O’Sullivan 85), Shane Barrett (Gary Keane 91), John Kearney, Liam Kearney (Kevin Waters 87), Willie John Kiely, Paul Murphy.
Substitutes not used: Chris Konopka, Paul Carey

Referee: P McLoughlin (Monaghan)
Official Attendance: 155
Extratime Man of the Match: Michael Schlingermann