League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Waterford

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone Town begin their League of Ireland First Division campaign when they host recently relegated Waterford at Lissywollen on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Having finished bottom of the table in 2020 the Town made a decent improvement last year with a seventh place finish in the First Division.

It’s a new era however, with Martin Russell stepping into the managerial role in place of Paul Doolin after his short stint in charge last season when he took over from Adrian Carberry.

They are still a little bit of an unknown entity, with reports of their struggles to find players for the new season in Ireland well documented during the off season so it’s anyone’s guess how they will fare on Friday night.

Three of their imports are Dutch trio Noah van Geenan, Quincy Nkansah and Youri Having in the past week with the players in line for a home debut tomorrow night.

"We're looking forward to the season opener against the league favourites at home,” club captain Micheál Schlingermann said, speaking to the club’s media team.

“We know it will be a very tough night as they have a lot of quality but things have come together in recent weeks and we are prepared for the opposition.

“Hopefully we can get a positive start and be competitive once again this season.”

WATERFORD

Waterford are facing into their first match in the second tier since winning the First Division in 2017.

Their relegation at the hands of UCD last year means they will be fighting it out to try and claim a return to the Premier Division immediately with a promotion at the end of the year either by winning the First Division again or going up through the playoffs.

Manager Ian Morris has a good record at this level after winning two First Division titles with Shelbourne in recent years, he has taken the reigns at the RSC and he is looking forward to getting the season underway.

“Pre-season is finished now thankfully and we’re all ready to get going against Athlone,” he said, speaking to the club’s website.

“All the lads have gelled really well, it’s a top-class environment here so we’re hoping that it all translates to results on the pitch.

“Everyone is here for competitive games. It’s what everyone wants to be involved in. We won’t have any excuses on Friday night. We’re working hard, we’ve trained on astro to get used to the surface so it’s just going to be full-tilt ahead for us on Friday night against Athlone.

“It’s going to be a long year. I want to win every single game, but we need that bouncebackability if we do suffer a setback, so we can bounce back and believe in what we are doing.”

Waterford have a couple of absentees for the first night of the season with Killian Cantwell absent due to a facial injury picked up in pre-season while Niall O’Keeffe is suspended.

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan

MATCH STATS

The side haven’t met in the League in nearly five years with Waterford and Athlone last facing off in July 2017 – the Super Blues came out on top that night in the RSC.

This will be Waterford’s first game in the second tier since 2017, they were crowned First Division champions that season.

Athlone Town and Waterford met in last year’s FAI Cup, the game finished 4-4 but Waterford progressed on penalties.

BETTING

Athlone Town 7/2; Draw 11/4; Waterford 8/13.

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 0–3 Waterford

Athlone Town

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Waterford

Injured: Killian Cantwell.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Niall O’Keeffe.