Athlone Town continued their bright start to the 2026 First Division season with a 2-0 victory over Cobh Ramblers.
Athlone Town 2
Cobh Ramblers 0
The 2026 season has brought some dramatic changes for Athlone Town. The Westmeath side appear rejuvenated after a disastrous 2025 campaign both on and off the pitch. Last season the ‘Bit o’Blue’ finished bottom of the league on 20 points, 13 points behind Kerry FC in 9th, with a negative 40 goal difference. Ramblers won all four games against Athlone that campaign.
On my second visit of the season to Lissywollen, Ramblers won the game three nil and the locals weren’t happy. Many of Athlone’s supporters stayed away that night and the club seemed to be going nowhere with very little of note happening on the pitch for the home side and a decidedly negative atmosphere in the stadium. The only fireworks that night was one that flew in from outside the stadium and narrowly missed Ramblers’ keeper Timo Martin. How so much has changed in a just a few months.
Ian Ryan who was appointed in June 2025, midway through the season appears to have dramatically turned thing around during the winter break. Before this game Athlone sit 3rd on 7 points, with 2 wins, a draw and a loss, albeit after only four games. Ramblers are 7th on 5 points after a win, 2 draws and a loss.
Athlone Town have spent the off season revitalising their club. In 2025 US investor Nick Giannotti arrived as the club’s new chairman. The San Diego native complete his takeover in July. He also has stakes in Plymouth Argyle in the English Football League and Larne FC in the Northern Ireland Football League. Steven Gray has been appointed as the club’s new chief executive.
Gray played in the League of Ireland with Drogheda United, Derry City and Bohemians. He moves to Athlone after a spell working as Head of Education at Shamrock Rovers Academy. These changes appear to be achieving results on the pitch.
On the playing front key additions have been goalkeeper Brendan Clarke who arrived from Galway United, midfielder Brian McManus from UCD and striker Peter Grogan who returned from a spell in the US. Of course, Athlone’s Women’s Team has been a huge success for the club having recently defeated Shamrock Rovers in the 2026 Presidents Cup. In 2025 they were League and Cup double winners. They were also the league champions in 2024.
Since the win over Cork City the aforementioned Timo Martin has signed for Ramblers despite many fans thinking Cobh would struggle to retain him. In his first season the man from Luxembourg became a cult figure at the Rams. One of the best keepers in the first division it was a surprise he was not included in the team of the season, losing out to Wexford’s Paul Martin. Martin went straight into the team with Corey Chambers dropping to the bench. Lucas Curtin came at left wing back to replace the injured Luka Le Bervett. The rest of the starting lineup was the same as last time out.
Cobh started well largely controlling the opening stages. After 8 minutes Shane Griffen played a long ball over the top which was latched onto by Oran Crowe who squared to Rhy Gourdie. Andy Stuart-Trainor in the Athlone goal made a smart save to deny the Glaswegian. On 13th minute Oran Crowe, the recent acquisition from Kerry, hit the upright. In the 15th minute the Carrigtwohill native Crowe had another chance well saved by Andy Stuart-Trainor. Gourdie coming in on the follow up also saw his shit saved. Stuart-Trainor was keeping Athlone in the game as Athlone lacked creativity and were restricted to long balls into the box from free kicks.
On 36 minutes Gourdie, who was lively throughout the first half feed Rhys Brennan wide. The Dubliner’s cross into the box struck the hand of defender Kyle O’Connor. Referee Mark Houlihan awarded the penalty. Having scored from the spot last week against Cork City Rhys Gourdie once more stepped up but dragged his kick wide.
The second half saw Athlone come more into the game and their work was rewarded in the 54th when Patrick Ferry scored a powerful header from a Kyle O’Connor corner. Four minutes later the midlanders doubled their lead as Connolly sprayed a ball wide to Derinsola Adewale. The winger, on loan from Shelbourne, whipped the ball across to Tollett who cut back in the box only to see his shot come crashing back off the crossbar with Martin beaten. Athlone stalworth Aaron Connolly was quickest on the follow up and finished past the Ramblers’ keeper.
The second half saw Athlone come more into the game and their work was rewarded in the 54th when Patrick Ferry scored a powerful header from a Kyle O’Connor corner. Four minutes later the midlanders doubled their lead as Connolly sprayed a ball wide to Derinsola Adewale. The winger, on loan from Shelbourne, whipped the ball across to Tollett who cut back in the box only to see his shot come crashing back off the crossbar with Martin beaten. Athlone stalworth Aaron Connolly was quickest on the follow up and finished past the Ramblers’ keeper.
As Ramblers pushed on in an attempt to get back in the game more space opened up for Athlone to attack and in the 91st minute Kyle O’Connor rattled the bar with a free kick from twenty yards. The score remained at two nil and Athlone took the three points.
Post match Cobh manager Fran Rockett reflected on the missed chances of the first half, stating “we’ve got to be more clinical, and that is with the missed penalty, but we should have been well away before the penalty.” Adding “I thought everything in the first half was as good as what we played all season”. Rockett rued the goals conceded int the second half. “It was really, really disappointing. One from a corner, and another mistake from open play, where we are in control, and we’ve numbers up against them. Somehow, they managed to get the ball into the net. It was a disappointing one.”
The loss leaves Cobh in 7th on 5 points. While Athlone Town continue their bright start now lying in second with 10 points only 3 behind early leaders Cork City.
Next up for Cobh Ramblers is a home tie against Bray Wanderers.
Athlone travel to bottom side Treaty United. Both ties will be played on Friday the 20th of March.
LINEUPS
ATHLONE TOWN: Andrew Stuart Trainor; Reece Webb, Kyle O’Connor, Oisin Hand, Evan O’Connor; Aaron Moloney, Derinsola Adewale, Aaron Connolly, Patrick Ferry; Brian McManus, Cillian Tollett.
Subs: Peter Grogan for Tollett (63); William Smith for Ferry (88).
COBH RAMBLERS: Timothy Martin; Mikey Carroll, Garry Buckley, Cian Coleman, Shane Griffin; Jason Abbott, Oran Crowe; Lucas Curtin, Rhys Brennan, Rhys Gourdie; Wilson Waweru.
Subs: Dylan McGlade for Gourdie (83); Rhys Kelly Noonan for Waweru (86).
Referee: Mark Houlihan
Kenneth Hickey is a Cobh Ramblers Season Ticket Holder
Copyright Kenneth Hickey 2026