Athlone Town and Finn Harps will seek to shake off the cobwebs of last season in the opening clash of the season at Lissywollen.
Athlone Town come off a last-placed finish in the First Division last season with only 3 league wins, after making the playoff final in 2024. In their 3 games in the Leinster Senior Cup this year, they have only seen victory once against St Peter’s Athlone and have conceded 4+ goals to both Dundalk and Shelbourne. Ian Ryan will look to see a massive improvement from his side in 2026
Finn Harps finished 8th in the First Division last season with a league-high 12 draws keeping them out of reach for the playoff spots. After getting past UCD (3-0) and Bray Wanderers (3-1), Harps were knocked out of the FAI Cup last year thanks to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of eventual finalists Cork City. McHugh will look to get his squad over the hump and challenge for a playoff spot this season.
Key Information
Kick Off: 7:45, February 13th
Where to Watch: LOITV
Betting Odds: Athlone @21/20, Draw @23/10, Harps @21/20
Referee: Daryl Carolan
Team News
All players will be available for both sides.
New signing Evan O’Connor will be available for Athlone after previously being a part of the senior squad in 2020. Central midfielder Brian McManus joins the squad having previously played for Shelbourne, Bohemians and UCD.
For Finn Harps, Temiloluwa Ajibola, Idir Zerrouk, Oran Brogan, Daniel de Lacerda, Lorenzo Piaia, Daniel Lacerda, Nathan Lumingo, Bernardo Monteiro, Perrault Tokam and Alex Fanle are all in contention to make their debuts on Friday.
Key Statistics
Finn Harps drew the most games in the First Division last season (12). They had a –13 goal difference last season.
Athlone Town only won 3 games in the league last season with one of those victories coming against Finn Harps away from home. Athlone Town had the worst goal differential in the First Division in 2025 (-40)
Players To Watch
New Harps signing Temiloluwa Ajibola began his career in the Parma academy and has spent time in England, Sweden and most recently Germany before arriving at Finn Park ahead of the upcoming campaign. His prolonged time among the top footballing countries in the world makes him a player to look out for this season and on Friday.
Patrick Ferry will play against his former club after moving to Athlone Town. Ferry was tied for top goal scorer for Finn Harps last season and will look to haunt his former side on Friday.
Nathan Lumingo will look to continue his impressive pre-season form for Athlone after netting in a pre-season friendly against Sligo Rovers. He moved to the club last month from Swiss side FC La-Chaux de Fonds.
Previous Meetings
22/08/25 – Finn Harps 2-1 Athlone Town
20/06/25 – Athlone Town 0-0 Finn Harps
09/05/25 – Finn Harps 0-2 Athlone Town
28/03/25 – Athlone Town 0-1 Finn Harps