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Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
‘Special' week for Sligo's Roisin Molloy as Athlone Town progress through First Qualifying Round of Women's Champions League
Gurteen native Molloy scored a brace in the semi-final win over Cardiff City Sligo native Roisin Molloy reflected on an 'amazing week' as Athlone Town progressed through the First Qualifying Round of the Women's Champions League with wins over Cardiff City (4-0) and ZNK Agram of Croatia (3-0). The Midlanders hosted both games at home, beating their Welsh opponents last Wednesday to reach the final where they were comprehensive winners over the Croatian champions on Saturday afternoon.
Irish Daily Mirror
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Athlone Town v ZNT Agram: Where to watch free stream of Champions League clash
Shauna Brennan says Athlone Town are relishing the opportunity to crank it up a level against Croatia's league winners ZNK Agram. The midlanders, currently table-toppers as they defend their first Women's Premier Division title, easily dismissed the challenge of Cardiff City in their Champions League first qualifying round tie last Wednesday. The visitors will be a class - or two - above the Welsh visitors but Brennan insists there is no fear in the Athlone camp as they seek the win that will progress the club to round two and a meeting with Icelandic champions Breiðablik. "This is where we want to be," declared the defender. "We want to play in Europe, we want to test ourselves against the best sides. This is what we play for. "Hopefully, we can get the job done and progress and see how we can get on in the later stages but of course, it's one game at a time. This Croatian side is what we're focusing on now and that's what all our energy will go into. "We've done our homework but it's hard to tell really with teams that are outside of our own league and we can't see them playing against anybody in our own league," she said. "But it'll definitely be a different challenge on Saturday and we're expecting that. We know that we've only half the job done. Wednesday means nothing without Saturday, so that's our focus." Where is the game taking place? The first warm-up game is at Lissywollen Stadium, Athlone. What time is kick-off? The game kicks off this afternoon at 4pm. Where can I watch it? The match isn't being shown live on terrestrial TV but it can be streamed for free (registrations required) on LOI TV. Decision Brennan faced a tough decision ahead of last season when she opted out of the Galway football panel to focus on playing for Athlone and her medical studies in NUIG. The choice paid off as she was involved in an historic season for the club and the team has continued where it left off, despite the loss of Ciaran Kilduff as manager just hours after the FAI Cup final defeat to Shelbourne. "And now to be playing European football this year, if you had told me that three years ago, I would have told you you were lying," smiled Brennan. "Ciarán we all got along with very well. Colin (Fortune) is in now to take his place and we've really just gotten on so well and taken it week by week, doing our bit on and off the pitch. We really have just stuck together through it." Brennan and her colleagues played in front of a sold-out home crowd for the first time in the 4-0 defeat of Cardiff and she is hoping for the same again today. "It was great to see the support from everybody in Athlone to actually sell out the stadium," the 21-year-old said. "We were hoping it would be a sell out, but obviously that depends on the fans and it was great to see them all come out in their blue and black. "I think it helped us in the first 10 minutes. We hit the ground running and the crowd really got behind us to do that, they definitely did help us to get up for the game and be ready. "Everybody seemed to have such an energy. I think that probably came from the crowd and the occasion. We all wanted it and I think you could see that. We came out of the blocks very fast and thankfully we got a few goals to get us in at half-time. "I'm sure it will be the same again, we'll be hoping to start quickly and get at them and impose our game on them rather than worrying about them. "We know they're going to be a new challenge. They're going to be a good side. They've won the Croatian League but we'll look at their key players and we'll be ready for whatever comes at us." Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
Irish Examiner
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Athlone look to finish job and join European elite
Women's Champions League first round, mini-group final: Athlone Town v ZNK Agram, Lissywollen (Sat, 4pm) – Live LOITV. Another full house is forecasted for Saturday's Women's Champions League showpiece in the Midlands, where Athlone Town are within 90 minutes of mixing it with Europe's powerhouses (4pm). Ireland's title holders did their country proud on Wednesday by ruthlessly disposing of Welsh champions at a packed Lissywollen stadium. The 4-0 victory was instigated by three first-half goals, fuelling belief the club can overcome ZNK Agram from Croatia in the mini-group final to reach the second round. Should they maximise home advantage again, they'll join the likes of Manchester United and Inter Milan in the next round, albeit the Town are on the Champions Path that pits them potential opponents such as Slavia Prague, Rosengård and Hibernian. New investor Nick Giannotti was an animated presence in the stand on Wednesday and to kick off another possible historic day for the club, the American made himself to fans at a forum in the town beforehand. While the men's team floundering at the bottom of the First Division warrant his attention and backing, the women's wing are flourishing. Manager Colin Fortune, as someone who's witnessed the full gamut of emotions being attached to his hometown club, is determined to maintain the feelgood factor. 'I'd never experienced an atmosphere in this stadium like it,' said the former player and manager of the men's team. 'For the people of Athlone, this is massive. 'Our first 45 minutes against Cardiff was our best all year. My worry was that the occasion might get to players but they kept the most clinical performance of the season for the Champions League.' Croatian, in 30th, are two places ahead of Ireland in Uefa's club coefficients for leagues. Fortune anticipates that the proximity being reflected on their home pitch. 'ZNK Agram are in the same position as us in this being their first European campaign,' added Fortune. 'We met their delegation at the draw but it was difficult to obtain footage of their matches. What we do know is they operate at the same semi-professional level as ourselves. 'We know they'll be a step-up, with respect to Cardiff. From what we've seen, they're a formidable side - very technical in their approach – but I think it will be an even match. 'However, If we put in a performance like Wednesday, with some tweaks, it will take a powerful team to beat us.'
The 42
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Athlone Town drawn to face Cardiff in Champions League qualifying
ATHLONE TOWN HAVE been drawn to face Cardiff City in their first-ever Women's Champions League fixture. The draw took place in Nyon today, with the sides squaring off in a first qualifying round semi-final in Group 5 on Wednesday, 30 July. The winners take on ZNK Agram of Croatia in the final on Saturday, 3 August where a place in the second round of qualifying is up for grabs. Athlone Town were crowned Women's Premier Division champions for the first time last season and are the only side who remain unbeaten this season, holding a one-point lead on Shelbourne at the top of the table. We have drawn Cardiff City in First Qualifying Round Semi Final in the Women's Champions League. More details to be announced.#PrideofTheMidlands — Athlone Town AFC (@AthloneTownAFC) June 24, 2025 Advertisement
