Despite an uptick in their own form, they are not expected to overhaul such a gap, given that their opponents dropped only two points in the first round of fixtures.
Yet, nothing can be said about Athlone currently with much certainty. The picture surrounding the ownership and potential takeovers is opaque. The men’s team have lost a number of players and are winless in their last nine games as they languish at the bottom of the First Division.
Amidst difficult circumstances, the women’s team have held themselves together. They host European competition at the end of the month, where they face Cardiff City. Should they win that, they will advance in a mini-tournament, with that game again in Athlone.
It is difficult to compete on every front, and Athlone have bowed out of the All-Island Cup. This, and their loss in the President’s Cup have been the only blips in a stellar season.
Madison Gibson continues to excel, with 10 goal involvements in as many league games. Shauna Brennan is an ever-present at the back. She and her defensive colleagues have conceded just twice in the league, having faced everyone. There are further Galway connections with coach Gordon Brett and head coach Colin Fortune extremely well regarded here for their service to United through the years.
It should also be remembered that Athlone comfortably dispatched Galway United earlier in the season in Eamonn Deacy Park, albeit with the aid of a ghost goal.
But it seems reasonable to suggest that United enter this tie strengthened. Since their rotten run in May, they have won five in all competitions, losing only in a gallant defeat away to Shels.
The Shamrock Rovers win was amongst the most impressive, as they strangled the opposition and played brilliantly on the front foot. They also showed impressive fortitude to overturn a two-goal deficit at home to Sligo last time out, winning 4-2 in the end.
Aoibhín Donnelly and Kyah Coady made their debuts late on in that game and bring plenty of experience and pedigree. Importantly, Emma Doherty bagged a brace in that game too. Ceola Bergin also got more minutes after her star turn against Rovers.
United therefore have the firepower to trouble Athlone, but there is no sterner test in Irish football currently. Yet, it is a good moment in which to take it on. The only pressure on Phil Trill’s side will be internal.
Athlone have the complication of playing on Saturday and Wednesday before European competition the following week. Should United win, they would hope to give them more problems in the run-in.
