Athlone learns FAI Cup fate as new signings arrive

Athlone Town has been drawn against League of Ireland Premier Division opposition in the third round of this season's Club Orange Men's FAI Cup.

The Town, who progressed to the last 16 with a comfortable 3-0 victory against non-league Midleton last weekend, will be travelling to in-form Waterford Utd, with the tie set to take place on the weekend of August 16. It is most like the match will take place at Waterford RSC on the Friday (August 14) but full fixtures details has yet to be confirmed.

Waterford had been struggling badly at the bottom of the Premier Division until the decision to part with manager Jon Daly and replace him with Graham Coughlan. Since his appointment on May 6, Waterford's form has improved drastically and they have managed to rein-in fellow strugglers like Sligo Rovers and Drogheda Utd.

Meanwhile, according to the FAI Connect website, which details the comings and goings in the Irish soccer transfer market, Athlone has signed two new players: one apiece for the men's and women's senior squads.

The Bohemains winger Rhys Brennan, who scored a dramatic winning goal against rivals Shamrock Rovers in one of last season's Dublin derbies, has joined Athlone on-loan for the rest of the season. Brennan spent the first part of this season on-loan at fellow First Division club Cobh Ramblers.

FAI Connect also states that Athlone women's team has signed US-born full-back Kelis Barton, who has previously played with Washington State University, Minnesota Aurora and English club Rugby Borough. Barton was not involved with the women's squad for this morning's opening UEFA Women's Champions League match against Macedonian side ZFK Skopje in Sosnowiec, Poland, which the Town won comfortably, 4-0.