Champions League football comes to Athlone
The biggest fixture to be played in the 18-year history of the Athlone Town stadium in Lissywollen kicks off at 7.30pm tomorrow evening (Wednesday), when the club's women's team embarks on a first-ever UEFA Champions League campaign against Cardiff City.
On Monday it was announced that more than 1,000 tickets had so far been sold for the big game. The club said that, due to the strong level of demand, anyone planning to attend is being "strongly encouraged" to purchase a ticket online in advance.
This evening's game will be the first time Athlone Town have been involved in European competition in 42 years. The last time a competitive European fixture was played here was when the men's team faced Standard Liège of Belgium in the European Cup in September 1983.
On that occasion, Athlone narrowly lost the first leg, on a 2-3 scoreline at home in St Mel's Park, before shipping an 8-2 defeat in the away leg.
This year will also mark the 50th anniversary of Athlone's most famous game of all - when the club held the mighty AC Milan to a scoreless draw in a European tie in St Mel's Park.
The Athlone Town women, now managed by local native Colin Fortune, secured their first league title last year, just four years after playing their first-ever fixture in August 2020.
The old bus cliché about waiting for ages and then having two come along at once could also be applied to Champions League ties in Athlone. Tonight's game is a one-leg affair, which will see the winner than face Croatian side ZNK Agram this Saturday, August 2, at 4pm, in Athlone Town Stadium.
The winners on Saturday will then advance to the Second Qualifying Round.
Looking ahead to the Cardiff game, Athlone Town forward Madison Gibson said there was a high level of excitement in the Athlone squad.
"We worked really hard last season to get here and the girls that are new who have come in this season have bought into everything that we’re planning for this and have really put in all their effort," she said.
"There is a buzz around the town, so we’re excited to get going.
"We know that they (Cardiff) are a good side and we have to respect them, so we have to be at our best and play our best football. It’s not going to be easy, we know that.
"We’re excited that this is the first time that the club is hosting in 42 years and the first time hosting for women, so we're excited about that and we’re excited to represent the club, represent the league and hopefully make them proud."
The game will be available to watch live for free on the LOITV streaming platform.