Athlone Town goal goes viral with over a million views

Adrian Cusack

Published: Tue 27 Jul 2021, 2:10 PM

Last updated: Tue 27 Jul 2021, 2:15 PM

The most remarkable goal in the 14-year history of Athlone Town Stadium was scored on Friday night last - and then went 'viral' online with over one million views of the footage!

In injury time of extra time, with Athlone having just conceded what appeared to be the winning goal in their topsy-turvy FAI Cup clash with Waterford, Glen McAuley, from the restart, spotted the visitors' goalie off his line and launched an absolute rocket of a strike which found the net from inside his own half.

The goal sparked wild, incredulous celebrations among the players and fans in Lissywollen.

OH MY GOD! 🤯

Absolutely incredible goal by Glen McAuley to score his hat trick and equalise for Athlone Town, the game goes to penalties! 😱@AthloneTownAFC 4-4 @WaterfordFCie

Sign up 📺 | https://t.co/vfkMjbvRwA #LOITV | #LOI pic.twitter.com/p4lSjUewI6
— SSE Airtricity League (@SSEAirtricityLg) July 23, 2021

Footage of it, with commentary from former Athlone Town player Gordon Brett, spread rapidly online and, by Sunday evening, the FAI's Twitter account reported that it had exceeded one million views.

The FAI described it as another Irish contender for the Puskás award - FIFA's prize for the "most beautiful" goal in a calendar year - and said it had been shown in news reports in at least nine other countries, including the US, Spain, Poland and Russia.

A headline in the Guardian newspaper said it was an 'absolutely unbelievable' goal, while another website asked if it was the greatest last-minute goal ever scored.

The strike capped a hat-trick for McAuley on his Athlone debut, but sadly the Town exited the Cup on penalties after a night filled with drama.

The goalscorer had only signed for Athlone the previous day, having previously had spells with St Pat's, Bohemians, and Shelbourne after a number of years at Liverpool.