Athlone Town hoping for a European night to remember in Lissywollen
Athlone Town face their biggest challenge of the season tonight (Wednesday) when they host Glasgow City in the second leg of the UEFA Women's Europa Cup first qualifying round in Lissywollen (kick-off, 7.30pm).
Athlone competed admirably for large periods of the first leg on a rain-soaked night in Glasgow's Priestfield Stadium, but clinical finishing saw the Scottish champions build a strong 3-0 lead at the half-way point of the tie.
The reigning Women's Premier Division champions will be hoping to bring their weekend form into tonight's fixture when goals from Kelly Brady and Madie Gibson in each half of their FAI Cup semi-final tie against Shamrock Rovers secured Athlone Town a place in their fourth successive final.
Under the interim management of John Sullivan, Athlone Town are approaching the latter stages of what has been a successful campaign to date as they aim to retain their Premier Division title and add a second FAI Cup winners' pennant to the team's roll of honour.
Maintaining a presence in Europe is the primary focus tonight, however, and while the ask of overturning a three-goal deficit is huge, Sullivan remains confident that his charges can refocus and prove problematic opponents for Glasgow City despite the players' recent match schedule.
“The players have been fantastic and as we approach the end of the season it’s all about maintenance. You can’t really get fitter but you can always become fresher so it’s all about rest, recharging, refueling and refocusing as we get ready to go again on Wednesday night," Sullivan said.
Having tasted their heaviest defeat of the season in Scotland last week, Sullivan was proud to see his players return to winning ways in Tallaght Stadium on Sunday, securing a fourth cup final spot.
“For the girls, yeah fourth final, just so happy for them really. They’re a great group, the team cohesion is amazing. They’re really lovely individuals and fantastic footballers and I’m so happy they get to showcase their ability on the big stage again come the final.
“I’m just very, very pleased, the process was amazing and we got the right outcome. They play with composure, they’re such intelligent girls in terms of reading the game, seeing the game and have that ability to play in any conditions in abundance," Sullivan said.
Sullivan will be hoping such characteristics will come to fruition over the course of tonight's second leg and his players can give further cause for celebration amongst the Athlone Town faithful who travelled in numbers to support the team in Glasgow last week.
In the aftermath of the Europa Cup first leg loss, it had been reported that Sullivan would not be interested in permanently filling the void left by the departed Colin Fortune but the former Dundalk and Shelbourne player has since clarified his comments.
“What I had said was ‘who wouldn’t take the job?’ In one of Jose Mourinho’s favourite interviews he talked about football heritage. This team has a great football heritage, starting with Tommy Hewitt, Ciaran Kilduff and Colin. I’m not ruling myself out of it, I'm not saying yes, but I'm very happy right now with what I am doing. We haven’t spoken about next season.
"I was just asked if I could come in and assist for now. Like I said, whoever does come in or whoever the club do appoint will enjoy the job, as they are a great group and they would be inheriting a fantastic group of individuals,” Sullivan added.
Similar to Athlone's previous European games, tonight's game will be streamed live on https://www.loitv.ie/ie