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Athlone Town F.C. first entered League of Ireland football in 1922-23 when the original
League of the previous season was extended, with 6 new clubs -Athlone Town, Midland Two clubs, Frankfort and YMC dropped out. The Town was first league member's form outside the
Capital.
The midlanders started tentatively, losing 1-3 vs. St. James' Gate (H), 0-2 vs. Bohemians
(A), Gained a home point vs. Shelbourne United 3-3, lost again 0-2- vs. Rathmines (A),
before their historic first ever win 4-0 vs. Olympia on 14th Oct. 1992 at the Sports Ground
, Athlone. A creditable 6th position place was achieved by season's end and following
campaign positions of 4th, 7th, and 7th again, 5th, and finally 10th, in 1927-28 season
were recorded. That season also saw a 3-9 1st round F.A.I. Cup defeat by then non-league
team Drumcondra. After such a disappointing year and taking their financial position into
account it was decided not to re-apply for league membership in 1928-29 and their cup
conquerors Drums filled the vacant place.
Athlone's early flirtation with the top-flight football was not totally bleak, however. In their very first season Town reached the Shield final, only to fall to Shelbourne by
the odd goal in three. The moment of glory for the Westmeath club came less than a year
later when, on Dinny Hannon's solitary strike. This is the only time Athlone have won the
blue Riband and they did so in style, being the first Club to win without conceading a goal
in the competition. After a long exile of 41 years, during which the highlight was an F.A.I
. Junior Cup victory in 1938, Athlone regained league status in 1969-70 along with new boys
Finn Harps. Their return was quickly celebrated with a fine 4-0 Leinster Cup Final
trouncing of Shelbourne.
During the 70' Town firmly established themselves as a worthy League of Ireland outfit,
achieving runners-up spot to Bohemians in 1974-75 and European qualification for the first
time. And the Midlanders certainly did the country proud in the UEFA Cup despatching
VALERENGEN 3-1
(St. Mels) and 1-1 (OSLO). In the 2nd round came the fairytale clash with Italian giants
A.C. Milan. The visitors escaped with a scoreless draw, mainly due to a missed penalty by
John Minnock, but all the honours went to the homesteads. In the away leg they held out
gallantly before falling to three late goals. It had been a marvellous adventure and was
to be the appetiser for further success.
In the appointment of Turlough O'Connor as manager was to be the launching pad for Athlon
e's rise to national prominence in the early 80's. The Tyler Cup and Leinster Cup came to
St. Mel's in the 1979-80 before the league title was at last captured the following season. On the European stage once more, they again performed with distinction, unluckily losing
to KB Copenhagen on away goals after drawing both ties. The Championship was won again in
1982-83, but Standard Liege proved much too strong in the Champions. Cup winning 3-2 in
Athlone and 8-2 in Belgium, Town's last European appearance. During this period 3 League
Cups and the Presidents Cup also made their way to the St.Mels trophy cabinet. But the
great days were coming to an end. O'Connor was enticed to Oriel Park where he would
continue his success and Shamrock Rovers were emerging as the dominant force in the land.
Athlone went into gradual decline and were eventually relegated in 86-87, finishing bottom.
Fate decreed another O'Connor, Turlough's brother Padraig, would be the one to re-juvenate the club. After a poor start his players responded magnificently to his shrewd guidance and the first
Division title was won, on the very last day of the season, with a 2-1 win over Cobh Ramblers at St. Mels Park.
The Leinster Cup was also won so Padraig could claim a minor Version of the double Turlough was achieving Dundalk!
Athlone Town have shown, in their second bite of the League of Ireland "Cherry" that the
aspirations of the late Seamus O'Brien, who was instrumental in guiding them back to league
status, have been fully realised and that the faith placed in the clubs return has been
more than justified. The story of Athlone Town has been a story of success. |
