AIT soccer club rounded off a successful season last week by claiming two trophies. The senior men’s first team were first to claim silverware by defeating GMIT Castlebar in the Umbro CFAI Plate final. GMIT had home advantage with the game being hosted by Castlebar Celtic FC. Conditions were atrocious with heavy wind and rain making constructive football tough to create. However AIT were on top early in the game with Conor Jordan in particular command in the centre of the pitch. Athlone Towns Stephen Relihan created the opening for the first goal when he played striker Enda Morris through the GMIT defence. Morris made no mistake to put the visitors 1-0 up. Morris was denied twice before halftime by the home goalkeeper and the half finished without too much threat to the AIT custodian TJ Forde. GMIT exerted more pressure in the second half but never really looked like breaching the AIT defence. The sending off of St. Peters player Kevin Dunne made matters difficult but Aidan Reilly joined his first cousin Neil Harney in the centre of defence having started at centre forward. A golden opportunity to virtually wrap up the game was presented to AIT in the 67th minute when Enda Morris was taken down in the box for a penalty. Dan Cunningham fluffed his lines and his poorly struck penalty was easily saved. GMIT took great heart from this let off and at this stage they were pressing hard for an equaliser. The game was put beyond the reach of the home team however in the 77th minute when an 80 yard clearance by Dan Cunningham found its way over the ‘keeper into the net. The win was fully deserved and is great reward for the team and manager Michael O’Connor who will look forward to greater success next season.
WSCAI Intervarsities
The women’s team retained the WSCAI Intervarsity Plate following four tough games at CIT last week. A first group game with NUI Galway saw the women take the lead midway through the first half but this lead was surrendered and a 1-1 draw was the result. With three teams in each group, the winner progressed to the cup semi final and the second placed team to the plate semi final. Third placed teams returned home empty handed and this put added pressure on the last group game v IT Sligo. Sligo were better throughout the game and held a 2 nil lead entering the late stages of the match. AIT required a goal to send them through to the plate competition on goals scored as NUI Galway had failed to score in their 1-0 defeat to Sligo. The goal duly arrived four minutes into injury time via Sinead Talyor. This set up a plate semi final match with IT Tralee. Sinead Taylor scored all four goals in a 4-0 win and this win gave the team great confidence going into the plate final. DCU were the opponents in a tense final that saw both sides create plenty of clear cut chances. AIT showed great confidence and composure probably due to the fact that they were the holders of the WSCAI Plate having beaten IT Sligo 2-1 in the final twelve months previously despite going 1 nil down. The first AIT chance arrived when the outstanding Marion Murray was very unlucky not to see her 25th minute shot brilliantly saved by the DCU net minder. Alicia Hunston was in top form in the AIT goal and she was forced to make three good saves in the game. The game was won in slightly controversial circumstances when Emma Curley intercepted a DCU attack inside the AIT box. There were suspicions of handball but Curley’s clearance was controlled by Roisin Williams and played behind the DCU defence. Sinead Taylor outpaced the DCU defence and rounded the goalkeeper to roll the winning goal into the net.
AIT First Team Advance in The CFAI Umbro Plate Quarter Final after winning 3-2 away from home to Cork College of Commerce.
AIT Goals scored by Stephen Rellihan, Aidan Reilly and Garvan Broughall.
AIT ‘B’ also secured a place in the B Teams Cup Quarter Final after an excellent win away from home to IT Sligo.
It was Sligo who found the net first though when just after 3 minutes on the clock Owen Cattigan put the home side in front.
AIT fought their way back into the game and got the equalizer five minutes into the second half. Luca Gastaldo firing home at the back post. AIT pressed hard for most of the second half but it wasn’t until the 87th minute they got the winner. A great strike from Paul Urbanski sealed the win for the Athlone side and secured their place in the Quarter Final.
Substitute James Farrell scores a Hatrick as AIT advance to the Quarter Final of the CFAI Bob Eustace Cup
20 mins: AIT took the lead after Damien Halton skipped past the full back and pulled the ball back for the onrushing Steven Smyth who slotted home.
60 mins: Killian Murphy played a great ball down the line to Smyth who delivered a pin point cross to James Farrell at the back post and he made no mistake with the finish.
65 mins: Again Murphy involved down the right with some great link up play with captain Kenny Lord. Lord’s shot came back off the post and Farrell again fired home for his second of the game.
80 mins:Farrell nets his hatrick with a great volley at the back post.
85 mins: A superb individual effort by Mark Rigney who closed down the defender and then fired to the top corner from just outside the box.
90 mins:Andrew Noone rounded off a great performance by AIT with a goal in the last minute.
AIT now play either St Pats Carlow or Pearse College at home in the Quarter Final.
Two of A.I.T's womens soccer team were selected for this years Irish Colleges Squad, Aisling Egan and Elisha Hunston.
Unfortunately Aisling had to withdraw from the squad due to injury but Elisha travelled with the squad to the Umbro Cup in Keele, England.
The Irish Colleges took part in the Elite Section of the competition with Everton, Liverpool, Blackburn, Wolves, Man City, Curzion Ashton and Mossley Hill.
They missed out on the cup semi final on goal difference but then went on to beat blackburn and Mossley Hill to win the Elite Plate.
AIT 'B' Team narrowly defeated 1-0 in 'B' Teams Cup Final v ITT
7th March 2010
Athlone I.T - Intervarsity Plate Champions 2010
2nd March 2010
AIT 'B' all set for CFAI Cup Final after defeating WIT in the semi final 1-0
2nd March 2010
AIT Womens team beat CCFE 5-2 to leap 2 points ahead of the cork side with just one game remaining.
19th February 2010
AIT 1 - 2 UCD
19th February 2010
Irish Colleges v Irish u19's
Aisling Egan (AIT) and Sarah Finnerty (IT Sligo)
27th October 2009
CUFL First Division West – Athlone IT 2 – Cavan Institute 1
After a bright start by AIT it looked like it wouldn’t be long until they broke the deadlock but this certainly wasn’t the case.
AIT may have dominated possession for the first half but it was the away side who scored first. Simon Guyder was judged to have deliberately handled the ball on his own goal line and the referee pointed straight to the spot and reached for the red card. AIT were down to ten men and to make matters worse Cavan slotted home the resulting penalty kick. AIT had a great chance to level the game after Jack Mendy was fouled in the box and the referee again pointed to the spot. AIT captain Darren Pierce stepped up but unfortunately pulled the ball wide of the target. The first half ended one nil in favor of the Cavan side.
The second half started similar to the first with AIT dominating possession. Yohan Saudes, Jack Mendy, Nasser Issifi and Jason Pohl all had great chances to level the game but the ball just would not cross the line. Carlos Gargia and Jason Pohl continued to threat down the flanks for AIT and after a great run by Pohl on 70 minutes he was taken down in the box and for the third time in the game the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Phol himself stepped up and slotted the ball home.
AIT continued to press and after the Cavan keeper pulled off another good save the ball broke to Javi Morata who very calmly tucked it away and put AIT in the lead.
With just a few minutes remaining Athlone’s keeper Ian Durkan was called into action and pulled off a terrific top corner save after a great strike from Cavan’s Cathal Joyce. Cavan then hit the crossbar in injury time but AIT held out to take all three points.
Next up for AIT second team is an away fixture to GMIT Castlebar on Wednesday 4th November.
CUFL Premier Division West - Athlone IT 6 – IT Sligo 0
In round 2 of the Premier Division West AIT welcomed the visit of local rivals IT Sligo. The last time these two met was in last season’s cup semi final when IT Sligo came out on top and went on to win the cup for the first time ever.
IT Sligo may have started the brighter but after just ten minutes AIT had settled well and started to play some excellent football.
With Carmine Russo and Stephen Relihan running the show from midfield and Garvan Broughal in total control at the heart of defence the quality of football was an absolute joy to watch.
It wasn’t long until AIT took the lead after Liam Lynch got on the end of a well worked free to put the home side one nil up.
Neill Harney continued to cause a threat from full back, on 20minutes he delivered a superb cross field ball and Lynch very bravely rose the highest to head home Athlone’s second.
Hafeez Sholola got his name on the score sheet shortly after, this time Lynch the provider with a great ball into Sholola’s path and he made no mistake with the finish.
It wasn’t long until it was four nil, Carmine Russo once again dominating midfield, he picked out the run of Brian Caldwell with a super pass, Caldwell showed some terrific skill to beat the defender and finished it off in style chipping the ball over the stranded Sligo keeper.
AIT went into the break with a very comfortable four nil lead.
Athlone started the second half just as they ended the first and after sixty minutes Carmine Russo made it five with an excellent finish from twenty five yards.
After some good work down the left by substitute Robby Van Brandt he delivered a great ball to the back post and Brian Caldwell headed home to take his tally to two for the day.
The game finished six nil in favor of the home side.
WSCAI Premier Division
University College Dublin v Athlone Institute of Technology
AIT certainly started the stronger and after half an hour it was hard to believe they still hadn’t scored. After some great play down the left by Nora Ward and Chloe Foy the ball was played through to Sinead Taylor, she then played a superb cross field ball into the run of Charlotte Delaney but unfortunately her strike missed the target. Catriona Dolan continued to cause a threat for AIT and after a super flick and turn she released Delaney once again, the delivery was good but AIT couldn’t get anyone on the end of it on this occasion.
Aisling Egan then had a great effort from a free kick but once again UCD’s tower house Louise Quinn got a head to it and the ball flew over the crossbar.
From the resulting corner the ball broke to Ward and from 40 yards she struck it well but just off target. Foy again laid the ball off well for Taylor whose shot looked like it was heading for the bottom corner but somehow the UCD keeper got down well to touch it around the post. Just before the half time break Catriona Dolan had the ball in it UCD net but the goal was ruled out due to a very harsh hand ball decision.UCD did have a couple of half chances in the first half but by the end of 45minutes AIT were certainly the more frustrated not to be in the lead.
As the game opened up more in the second half and the home side had the wind at their backs they started to pile on more pressure. From a UCD corner the ball spilled inside the box and for about 5 seconds there was a scramble that could have gone anywhere but AIT managed to clear the danger.
Aisling Egan and Ashley Monus at the heart of AIT’s defence were solid all day long and just cleaned up anything UCD threw at them. All three of AIT’s debutants, Debbie Costello, Mary Burns and Sarah Whelan were also solid throughout the game.
Sinead Taylor hit the target once again and Chloe Foy also had a great strike at goal but it just seemed like nothing was going to get past the UCD keeper.
With time running out AIT just weren’t happy to settle for a point, Emma Curley and Marian Murray continued to dominate in midfield and after Murray found some space she cleverly played the ball through to Taylor, her shot came back off the crossbar, but once again Catriona Dolan was first to react and smashed the ball to the back of the net.
There was literally no time left on the clock for UCD to press and the final whistle blew with the game ending one nil in favor of AIT.
AIT did leave it late but it was nothing less than they deserved in the end.
Next up for AIT is a home fixture against University College Cork after the midterm break.
16th October 2009
WSCAI Premier Division – IT Sligo 0 Athlone IT 1
After gaining promotion last season AIT Womens soccer kicked off their Premier Division campaign with an away fixture to IT Sligo.
The game started at a hectic pace but didn’t see too many clear cut chances in the first 45 minutes. This was mainly due to some excellent defensive displays from both sides. AIT’s back line of Aisling Egan, Emma Curley, Nora Ward and Ashley Monus were outstanding throughout the game with some very brave challenges going in. During the second half the game opened up a lot more. Louise Igeo continued to press for AIT from centre midfield and after some great persistence she forced an error from Sligo’s full back. The ball couldn’t have broke to a better person as Catriona Dolan was on hand and slotted the ball past the keeper from just inside the box. Sligo pushed hard to get an equalizer and with just five minutes remaining they had a great effort that looked destined for the top corner but somehow Aisling Egan managed to get her head to it and the ball just clipped the top of the crossbar.
AIT were unlucky not to get a second when substitute Lisa Guinane got her head to an excellent cross from Charlotte Delaney but unfortunately the header was straight at the keeper. AIT dug deep and battled hard for the last few minutes and held out for a well deserved one nil victory.
Next Monday they take on UCD in what should be another very tough game.
CUFL Premier Division West – Athlone IT 2 NUIG 0
The men’s first team started off their Premier Division West campaign with a very solid performance against NUI Galway. The very experienced Michael O’Connor was appointed as head coach of the AIT soccer club for the season and he will be mostly pleased with his first game in charge. The team has been supplemented this season with the addition of former Irish Schools Internationals Neil Harney, Garvan Broughal and Stephen Relihan. Liam Lynch of Longford Town has also added a new dimension to the team. The sides were level at the break but the lads had the lion’s share of the chances. Despite this NUIG did hit the post and can count themselves unlucky not to have scored. The second half began with AIT applying all the pressure and this pressure was rewarded when Hafeez Sholola was taken down for a penalty in the 55 minute. Longford Town player and soccer scholarship holder Carmine Russo confidently converted the spot kick. The second goal arrived on 65 minutes when Liam Lynch found space and expertly played Sholola straight through the heart of the NUIG defence. Sholola buried the chance and effectively killed off the game. NUIG did apply pressure as the game wore on but could not breach the home team’s rear guard. Sligo IT are next on the list and they are a side that won the CFAI Cup in 2009 by beating AIT in the semi final so a keenly contested affair is in the offing. AIT has won the last two CUFL Premier Division West titles.
CUFL First Division West - IT Sligo ‘B’ 2 Athlone IT ‘B’ 3
Our men’s second team also travelled to Sligo this week for the first round of the CUFL First Division west.
Under the guidance of Gerry Lennon, AIT played some great football in the first half and found themselves 3-0 up at half time. Goals coming from Jack Mendy ( 2) and Nasser Issifi (1). Early in the second half AIT should have gone four up when Jack again found himself one on one with the keeper but this time the keeper pulled off a great save. Sligo took over then for a twenty minute spell and managed to pull two goals back but AIT held out to take all three points. This team will also be hoping to retain the CUFL First Division title won last season for the first time.
AIT Development Squad 1 Gentex 5
Our development squad played their second challenge match of the season when they took on local side Gentex on Wednesday evening.
The development squad found it tough to cope with the pace of the Gentex strikers and they finally broke the deadlock after twenty five minutes. AIT’s Greg Musical pulled one back five minutes later after some great work from Shaun Henson and Eoin Smith. It wasn’t long till Gentex hit the net again which left the score line two one in their favor at the break.
AIT made nine changes at half time to give everyone a full forty minutes. Michael Gilboy and Eamonn Gallagher impressed down the left while Bogdan Grodzins and Patrick Barry dominated in centre midfield.
AIT was unlucky not to keep out Gentex 3rd goal but there was certainly nothing they could have done about the fourth. Some great work and link up down the left put Gentex in again and the finish this time was just quality, Cormac Mc Manus in goal had no chance. Gentex got another just before the end and the game finished five one in favor of the local side.
16th September 2009
Athlone Institute of Technology students Aisling Egan and Catriona Dolan selected for the Irish Colleges Soccer team 08/09
During the summer months the Irish Combined Colleges team competed in three events.
On 23rd April they travelled to Scotland where they trained and played both the Hamilton Academical Reserves and Premier team winning 11-2 and 5-0 respectively. AIT’s Aisling Egan playing in both games.
On 30th June they played a challenge match versus Monaghan Utd Ladies as part of the FAI AGM in Monaghan winning 2-1. AIT’s Catriona Dolan netted the winner on 80mins and Captain Aisling Egan produced an excellent defensive display at the heart of defence.
From 29thJuly - 1ST August they took part in the Carrickfergus International Womens Football Festival.
Unfortunately Aisling couldn’t travel due to injury but Catriona certainly flew the flag for AIT picking up the Top Goal Scorer award with two hatricks during the tournament.
The Irish team started with a very convincing 12-0 win over the Polish side Association Star on the Wednesday evening. Thursday they defeated Larne Ladies from Northern Ireland 1-0 which booked them a place in the Cup Semi Final against Centre College USA. The Irish team really flew out of the blocks on Friday evening and with Catriona Dolan netting a hatrick in the first half it really upset the American side who just couldn’t find a way back after half time, the game finished 5-1 in favor of the Irish side.
Saturday was the final day of the festival with loads of activities taking place both on and off the pitch in what was a fantastic tournament. The cup final kicked off at 3.00pm between the Irish Colleges and Bath. The Bath team certainly started the stronger and found themselves 2-0 up at half time. The second half was a very entertaining 30 minutes where the Irish team dominated from start to finish but unfortunately could only manage to pull one goal back in time and the game finished 2-1 in favor of the English side.
Congratulations to both Aisling and Catriona on their achievements and as we look forward to the start of another college term we wish them the best of luck in their final year and hopefully we will see them and more AIT students on the international seen this coming season.
7th September 2009
AIT Soccer Club Info - September 2009
Mens Trials / 5 a Sides
Monday7th Sept -
All Weather Pitch @ 7.30pm
Wednesday 9th Sept -
All Weather Pitch @ 6.00pm
Womens Trials /5 a Sides
Tuesday 8th Sept
All Weather Pitch @ 7.30pm
Everyone welcome, just turn up at the pitch!
For further queries contact:
Maz Sweeney in Sports Office or on 086-7954369
21st April 2009
Colleges and Universities Futsal Cup 2009
After topping group one with wins over CSN and ITT, Athlone IT secured automatic place in the semi finals.
After the Quarter Finals AIT were drawn against CSN in the Semi but unfortunately the Cork side got the better of them this time and ran out 4-3 winners.
CSN went on to beat UCC in the final by 3 goals to 1.
AIT’s Craig Tone finished Top Scorer on the day with 5 goals.
16th April 2009
AIT Futsal Team through to National Finals
10th March 2009
Umbro Colleges FAI Cup Finals Beckon for AIT Men
AIT men’s soccer club play IT Sligo this Wednesday in the Umbro CFAI Cup semi final at 12pm at Salthill Devon’s excellent facility at Drom in Galway. The final will be played the following day in Drom. AIT qualified for the finals by beating GMIT Letterfrack in the first round and followed this up with a 5-1 win over defending champions Garda College in Athlone in the second round. That second round win on paper looks convincing but three late goals put a gloss on the score line even if AIT did deserve the win. A quarter final clash away to IT Blanchardstown resulted in a 3-0 win but the performance was not convincing. Hafeez Sholoha and Brian Cauldwell have been providing the goals, both have scored in every round, with Carmine Russo and Anthony Hayes controlling midfield this season. Alan Fox and new Irish College’s selection Kevin Gaylard make up the rest of the local players in the squad. IT Sligo is the opposition in the semi final with IT Carlow and IT Letterkenny matching up in the other game. AIT and Sligo drew in the league for the past two seasons so a tight game is expected. Sligo came second to AIT in the CUFL Premier Division West of the league with incidentally IT Carlow just behind in third place. Letterkenny are the hot favourites for the cup but manager Gordon Brett and coach Gerry Lennon believe the AIT lads are capable of causing an upset if they can overcome Sligo. The Institute have won the cup on four occasions, 1984, 1985, 1998 and 2004. Gordon Brett lifted the cup in 1998 while Athlone Town midfielder Damien Rush was the skipper the last time the cup came to Athlone in 2004.
9th February 2009
AIT Womens Team Qualified for the WSCAI Intervarsity Tournament 2009 after beating Trinity College Dublin 2-0 and Cork I.T 2-0. There were some outstanding performances on the day with Aisling Egan solid at the back, Catriona Dolan netting 3 of the 4 goals and 2 great performances from full back Ruth Finlas.
The draw took place after for the Intervarsity groups and AIT are grouped with the Garda College and University College Cork, 2 premier division so it certainly won’t be easy!
The tournament runs over 3 days and this year will take place in castlebar 5th, 6th and 7th March.
3rd February 2009
AIT Mens B team were narrowly defeated in the CUFL Semi Final against Sallynoggin.
The game was played in Greystones all weather pitch due to the bad weather andafter 90 minutes the game ended 4-3 in favour of the home side.
The AIT team captained by Darren Pierce can be very proud of their efforts and will hopefully build on the great team moral they have shown throught the season.
3rd February 2009
UCC defeat AIT 6-5 on penalties IN THE CUFL Premier Division Quarter Final after the match finished in a 1-1 draw.
27th January 2009
AIT Womens Soccer club are very grateful to Leisure World Athlone for their generous sponsorship of a new kit. The girls recently enjoyed an eventful social evening in the centre.
27th January 2009
Carmel Posing... And Again!!!!!
9th January 2009
Athlone I.T Soccer Clubs Season to Date:
Both the Mens 1st and 2nd teams won their respective leagues and the Womens team had a great win down in Waterford to leave them in 2nd place going into the final round of games.
The Mens first team managed by Gordon Brett and assisted by Gerry Lennon retained the CUFL Premier Division West while the reserve team managed by Gerry Lennon won the CUFL Division 1 West for the first time ever. This is the first time both teams have won trophies in the same season.
The first team will host UCC in the national quarter-final on the 28th Jan while the reserves travel to Sallynoggin College for the division 2 semi-final on Thur 29th Jan.
Our Womens team is in the WSCAI First Division after winning the Munster/Connaught Regional League last year. Division one has been a big step up for them but so far they have proved they are certainly good enough for this division and are currently fighting for promotion to the WSCAI Premier Division.
There have been some outstanding displays so far from Aisling Egan, Catriona Dolan, Orna O Dowd and Charlotte Delaney but to name a few.
A win in the final league game at home against St. Pats will guarantee at the very least 2nd place and a play off with 2nd from bottom in the Premier Division for promotion.
We also have the Challenge Cup Quarter Final away to DCU on 13th February and on Saturday 7th February we will compete in the WSCAI Intervarsity Qualifiers.
AIT have been very lucky with the quality of 1st years enrolled, Orna O Dowd, Marion Murray, Charlotte Delaney, Lisa Guinane, Edel O Reilly, Ruth Finlas , Orla Cawley, Henrietta Walsh, Karen Irwin, Allyson Young, Michelle Taylor and Amy Grehan have all played a massive part it our success to date, and with some of the more senior players Therese Fox, Carmel Treanor, Alma Geraghty, Aisling Egan, Catriona Dolan and Emma Hussey leading by example it promises to be an exciting end to the season, one in which we are all eagerly awaiting!!
5th December 2008
AIT Staff v Chinese Society
18th November 2008
AIT Womens Soccer Team move to 2nd in the WSCAI First Division after their 6-2 win over DCU
WSCAI First Division
P
W
D
L
F
A
GD
Points
C.C.F.E.
3
2
1
0
9
6
+3
7
Athlone IT
3
2
0
1
11
6
+5
6
DCU
3
1
1
1
8
9
-1
4
St. Patrick’s College
2
1
0
1
5
5
0
3
IT Tralee
2
0
1
1
2
4
-2
1
Waterford IT
3
0
1
2
6
11
-5
1
Letterkenny IT
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
18th November 2008
CUFL Tables looking good for AIT going into the final round of games!
AIT First Team Advance in The CFAI Umbro Plate Quarter Final after winning 3-2 away from home to Cork College of Commerce.
AIT Goals scored by Stephen Rellihan, Aidan Reilly and Garvan Broughall.
AIT ‘B’ also secured a place in the B Teams Cup Quarter Final after an excellent win away from home to IT Sligo.
It was Sligo who found the net first though when just after 3 minutes on the clock Owen Cattigan put the home side in front.
AIT fought their way back into the game and got the equalizer five minutes into the second half. Luca Gastaldo firing home at the back post. AIT pressed hard for most of the second half but it wasn’t until the 87th minute they got the winner. A great strike from Paul Urbanski sealed the win for the Athlone side and secured their place in the Quarter Final.
27th October 2011
For Photos and Info check out our facebook page:
AIT Soccer Club
Or
Contact Maz Sweeney
maz.sweeney@fai.ie
086-7954369
21st March 2011
AIT Soccer Claims Two Trophies in a Week
Umbro CFAI Plate Final
AIT soccer club rounded off a successful season last week by claiming two trophies. The senior men’s first team were first to claim silverware by defeating GMIT Castlebar in the Umbro CFAI Plate final. GMIT had home advantage with the game being hosted by Castlebar Celtic FC. Conditions were atrocious with heavy wind and rain making constructive football tough to create. However AIT were on top early in the game with Conor Jordan in particular command in the centre of the pitch. Athlone Towns Stephen Relihan created the opening for the first goal when he played striker Enda Morris through the GMIT defence. Morris made no mistake to put the visitors 1-0 up. Morris was denied twice before halftime by the home goalkeeper and the half finished without too much threat to the AIT custodian TJ Forde. GMIT exerted more pressure in the second half but never really looked like breaching the AIT defence. The sending off of St. Peters player Kevin Dunne made matters difficult but Aidan Reilly joined his first cousin Neil Harney in the centre of defence having started at centre forward. A golden opportunity to virtually wrap up the game was presented to AIT in the 67th minute when Enda Morris was taken down in the box for a penalty. Dan Cunningham fluffed his lines and his poorly struck penalty was easily saved. GMIT took great heart from this let off and at this stage they were pressing hard for an equaliser. The game was put beyond the reach of the home team however in the 77th minute when an 80 yard clearance by Dan Cunningham found its way over the ‘keeper into the net. The win was fully deserved and is great reward for the team and manager Michael O’Connor who will look forward to greater success next season.
WSCAI Intervarsities
The women’s team retained the WSCAI Intervarsity Plate following four tough games at CIT last week. A first group game with NUI Galway saw the women take the lead midway through the first half but this lead was surrendered and a 1-1 draw was the result. With three teams in each group, the winner progressed to the cup semi final and the second placed team to the plate semi final. Third placed teams returned home empty handed and this put added pressure on the last group game v IT Sligo. Sligo were better throughout the game and held a 2 nil lead entering the late stages of the match. AIT required a goal to send them through to the plate competition on goals scored as NUI Galway had failed to score in their 1-0 defeat to Sligo. The goal duly arrived four minutes into injury time via Sinead Talyor. This set up a plate semi final match with IT Tralee. Sinead Taylor scored all four goals in a 4-0 win and this win gave the team great confidence going into the plate final. DCU were the opponents in a tense final that saw both sides create plenty of clear cut chances. AIT showed great confidence and composure probably due to the fact that they were the holders of the WSCAI Plate having beaten IT Sligo 2-1 in the final twelve months previously despite going 1 nil down. The first AIT chance arrived when the outstanding Marion Murray was very unlucky not to see her 25th minute shot brilliantly saved by the DCU net minder. Alicia Hunston was in top form in the AIT goal and she was forced to make three good saves in the game. The game was won in slightly controversial circumstances when Emma Curley intercepted a DCU attack inside the AIT box. There were suspicions of handball but Curley’s clearance was controlled by Roisin Williams and played behind the DCU defence. Sinead Taylor outpaced the DCU defence and rounded the goalkeeper to roll the winning goal into the net.
23rd February 2011
CFAI Umbro Plate Quarter Final
AIT 4-1 Bray Institute
For photos CLICK HERE
CFAI Bob Eustace Cup Semi Final
AIT C 1 -3 DIT C
For photos CLICK HERE
23rd February 2011
WSCAI Premier League
AIT 0 - 5 UL
AIT 3 - 1 UCC
AIT Goal Scorers: Sinead Taylor (2) Charlotte Delaney
11th February 2011
CFAI B Teams Cup Quarter Final
AIT B 4 - 1 DKIT B
For more Photos Click Here
10th February 2011
Bob Eustace Cup Quarter Final
AIT C 3 - 2 Pearse College
For More Photos Click Here
4th February 2011
AIT First Team Advance in The CFAI Umbro Plate Quarter Final after winning 3-2 away from home to Cork College of Commerce.
AIT Goals scored by Stephen Rellihan, Aidan Reilly and Garvan Broughall.
AIT ‘B’ also secured a place in the B Teams Cup Quarter Final after an excellent win away from home to IT Sligo.
It was Sligo who found the net first though when just after 3 minutes on the clock Owen Cattigan put the home side in front.
AIT fought their way back into the game and got the equalizer five minutes into the second half. Luca Gastaldo firing home at the back post. AIT pressed hard for most of the second half but it wasn’t until the 87th minute they got the winner. A great strike from Paul Urbanski sealed the win for the Athlone side and secured their place in the Quarter Final.
For Photos click here
4th February 2011
AIT womens team defeated 2-0 away from home by UCD
For photos click here
1st February 2011
AIT 'C' 6 - 0 Cavan Institute
Substitute James Farrell scores a Hatrick as AIT advance to the Quarter Final of the CFAI Bob Eustace Cup
20 mins: AIT took the lead after Damien Halton skipped past the full back and pulled the ball back for the onrushing Steven Smyth who slotted home.
60 mins: Killian Murphy played a great ball down the line to Smyth who delivered a pin point cross to James Farrell at the back post and he made no mistake with the finish.
65 mins: Again Murphy involved down the right with some great link up play with captain Kenny Lord. Lord’s shot came back off the post and Farrell again fired home for his second of the game.
80 mins:Farrell nets his hatrick with a great volley at the back post.
85 mins: A superb individual effort by Mark Rigney who closed down the defender and then fired to the top corner from just outside the box.
90 mins:Andrew Noone rounded off a great performance by AIT with a goal in the last minute.
AIT now play either St Pats Carlow or Pearse College at home in the Quarter Final.
For photos click here
25th January 2011
NUIG 2 - 4 AIT
Goals: 1. OG 2.Brian Mc Carthy 3. James Morrisey 4. Kameron Gaghian
For more photos click here
7th December 2010
AIT 'B' Team Qualify for the CUFL Futsal Cup National Finals after winning their Regional Competition.
AIT 'B'
AIT 'A' - Who were beaten on goal difference!
AIT Celebrate The Victory
30th November 2010
AIT Futsal League Winners - The Blues Brothers
Runners Up - Rizza FC
30th November 2010
FARE WEEK AIT
30th November 2010
Eight AIT Students Represented Connaught at this years WSCAI Interprovincial Tournament which was held in IT Sligo on 26th and 27th Nov 2010
From this years squad:
Elisha Hunston; Sinead Taylor; Ashley Monus; Emma Curley; Marian Murray; Nora Ward
And due to it being the year of the World Student Games students that left college last year were also eligable so from last year we had:
Aisling Egan and Catriona Dolan
30th November 2010
AIT Trades Dept - Soccer Finalists
6th October 2010
CUFL Season Kicks Off
AIT Mens Soccer kicked off their season with all 3 teams playing away to NUIM
On Tuesday AIT 'A' were defeated 2-0 by NUIM 'A'
AIT 'C' grabbed all three points beating NUIM 'C' 3-2
AIT 'A' Team Photo
AIT 'C' Team Photo
For more 'A' Team photos click here
For more 'C' Team photos click here
27th July 2010
Two of A.I.T's womens soccer team were selected for this years Irish Colleges Squad, Aisling Egan and Elisha Hunston.
Unfortunately Aisling had to withdraw from the squad due to injury but Elisha travelled with the squad to the Umbro Cup in Keele, England.
The Irish Colleges took part in the Elite Section of the competition with Everton, Liverpool, Blackburn, Wolves, Man City, Curzion Ashton and Mossley Hill.
They missed out on the cup semi final on goal difference but then went on to beat blackburn and Mossley Hill to win the Elite Plate.
For reports and photos click here
15th March 2010
AIT 'B' Team narrowly defeated 1-0 in 'B' Teams Cup Final v ITT
7th March 2010
Athlone I.T - Intervarsity Plate Champions 2010
2nd March 2010
AIT 'B' all set for CFAI Cup Final after defeating WIT in the semi final 1-0
2nd March 2010
AIT Womens team beat CCFE 5-2 to leap 2 points ahead of the cork side with just one game remaining.
19th February 2010
AIT 1 - 2 UCD
19th February 2010
Irish Colleges v Irish u19's
Aisling Egan (AIT) and Sarah Finnerty (IT Sligo)
27th October 2009
CUFL First Division West – Athlone IT 2 – Cavan Institute 1
After a bright start by AIT it looked like it wouldn’t be long until they broke the deadlock but this certainly wasn’t the case.
AIT may have dominated possession for the first half but it was the away side who scored first. Simon Guyder was judged to have deliberately handled the ball on his own goal line and the referee pointed straight to the spot and reached for the red card. AIT were down to ten men and to make matters worse Cavan slotted home the resulting penalty kick. AIT had a great chance to level the game after Jack Mendy was fouled in the box and the referee again pointed to the spot. AIT captain Darren Pierce stepped up but unfortunately pulled the ball wide of the target. The first half ended one nil in favor of the Cavan side.
The second half started similar to the first with AIT dominating possession. Yohan Saudes, Jack Mendy, Nasser Issifi and Jason Pohl all had great chances to level the game but the ball just would not cross the line. Carlos Gargia and Jason Pohl continued to threat down the flanks for AIT and after a great run by Pohl on 70 minutes he was taken down in the box and for the third time in the game the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Phol himself stepped up and slotted the ball home.
AIT continued to press and after the Cavan keeper pulled off another good save the ball broke to Javi Morata who very calmly tucked it away and put AIT in the lead.
With just a few minutes remaining Athlone’s keeper Ian Durkan was called into action and pulled off a terrific top corner save after a great strike from Cavan’s Cathal Joyce. Cavan then hit the crossbar in injury time but AIT held out to take all three points.
Next up for AIT second team is an away fixture to GMIT Castlebar on Wednesday 4th November.
CUFL Premier Division West - Athlone IT 6 – IT Sligo 0
In round 2 of the Premier Division West AIT welcomed the visit of local rivals IT Sligo. The last time these two met was in last season’s cup semi final when IT Sligo came out on top and went on to win the cup for the first time ever.
IT Sligo may have started the brighter but after just ten minutes AIT had settled well and started to play some excellent football.
With Carmine Russo and Stephen Relihan running the show from midfield and Garvan Broughal in total control at the heart of defence the quality of football was an absolute joy to watch.
It wasn’t long until AIT took the lead after Liam Lynch got on the end of a well worked free to put the home side one nil up.
Neill Harney continued to cause a threat from full back, on 20minutes he delivered a superb cross field ball and Lynch very bravely rose the highest to head home Athlone’s second.
Hafeez Sholola got his name on the score sheet shortly after, this time Lynch the provider with a great ball into Sholola’s path and he made no mistake with the finish.
It wasn’t long until it was four nil, Carmine Russo once again dominating midfield, he picked out the run of Brian Caldwell with a super pass, Caldwell showed some terrific skill to beat the defender and finished it off in style chipping the ball over the stranded Sligo keeper.
AIT went into the break with a very comfortable four nil lead.
Athlone started the second half just as they ended the first and after sixty minutes Carmine Russo made it five with an excellent finish from twenty five yards.
After some good work down the left by substitute Robby Van Brandt he delivered a great ball to the back post and Brian Caldwell headed home to take his tally to two for the day.
The game finished six nil in favor of the home side.
WSCAI Premier Division
University College Dublin v Athlone Institute of Technology
AIT certainly started the stronger and after half an hour it was hard to believe they still hadn’t scored. After some great play down the left by Nora Ward and Chloe Foy the ball was played through to Sinead Taylor, she then played a superb cross field ball into the run of Charlotte Delaney but unfortunately her strike missed the target. Catriona Dolan continued to cause a threat for AIT and after a super flick and turn she released Delaney once again, the delivery was good but AIT couldn’t get anyone on the end of it on this occasion.
Aisling Egan then had a great effort from a free kick but once again UCD’s tower house Louise Quinn got a head to it and the ball flew over the crossbar.
From the resulting corner the ball broke to Ward and from 40 yards she struck it well but just off target. Foy again laid the ball off well for Taylor whose shot looked like it was heading for the bottom corner but somehow the UCD keeper got down well to touch it around the post. Just before the half time break Catriona Dolan had the ball in it UCD net but the goal was ruled out due to a very harsh hand ball decision.UCD did have a couple of half chances in the first half but by the end of 45minutes AIT were certainly the more frustrated not to be in the lead.
As the game opened up more in the second half and the home side had the wind at their backs they started to pile on more pressure. From a UCD corner the ball spilled inside the box and for about 5 seconds there was a scramble that could have gone anywhere but AIT managed to clear the danger.
Aisling Egan and Ashley Monus at the heart of AIT’s defence were solid all day long and just cleaned up anything UCD threw at them. All three of AIT’s debutants, Debbie Costello, Mary Burns and Sarah Whelan were also solid throughout the game.
Sinead Taylor hit the target once again and Chloe Foy also had a great strike at goal but it just seemed like nothing was going to get past the UCD keeper.
With time running out AIT just weren’t happy to settle for a point, Emma Curley and Marian Murray continued to dominate in midfield and after Murray found some space she cleverly played the ball through to Taylor, her shot came back off the crossbar, but once again Catriona Dolan was first to react and smashed the ball to the back of the net.
There was literally no time left on the clock for UCD to press and the final whistle blew with the game ending one nil in favor of AIT.
AIT did leave it late but it was nothing less than they deserved in the end.
Next up for AIT is a home fixture against University College Cork after the midterm break.
16th October 2009
WSCAI Premier Division – IT Sligo 0 Athlone IT 1
After gaining promotion last season AIT Womens soccer kicked off their Premier Division campaign with an away fixture to IT Sligo.
The game started at a hectic pace but didn’t see too many clear cut chances in the first 45 minutes. This was mainly due to some excellent defensive displays from both sides. AIT’s back line of Aisling Egan, Emma Curley, Nora Ward and Ashley Monus were outstanding throughout the game with some very brave challenges going in. During the second half the game opened up a lot more. Louise Igeo continued to press for AIT from centre midfield and after some great persistence she forced an error from Sligo’s full back. The ball couldn’t have broke to a better person as Catriona Dolan was on hand and slotted the ball past the keeper from just inside the box. Sligo pushed hard to get an equalizer and with just five minutes remaining they had a great effort that looked destined for the top corner but somehow Aisling Egan managed to get her head to it and the ball just clipped the top of the crossbar.
AIT were unlucky not to get a second when substitute Lisa Guinane got her head to an excellent cross from Charlotte Delaney but unfortunately the header was straight at the keeper. AIT dug deep and battled hard for the last few minutes and held out for a well deserved one nil victory.
Next Monday they take on UCD in what should be another very tough game.
CUFL Premier Division West – Athlone IT 2 NUIG 0
The men’s first team started off their Premier Division West campaign with a very solid performance against NUI Galway. The very experienced Michael O’Connor was appointed as head coach of the AIT soccer club for the season and he will be mostly pleased with his first game in charge. The team has been supplemented this season with the addition of former Irish Schools Internationals Neil Harney, Garvan Broughal and Stephen Relihan. Liam Lynch of Longford Town has also added a new dimension to the team. The sides were level at the break but the lads had the lion’s share of the chances. Despite this NUIG did hit the post and can count themselves unlucky not to have scored. The second half began with AIT applying all the pressure and this pressure was rewarded when Hafeez Sholola was taken down for a penalty in the 55 minute. Longford Town player and soccer scholarship holder Carmine Russo confidently converted the spot kick. The second goal arrived on 65 minutes when Liam Lynch found space and expertly played Sholola straight through the heart of the NUIG defence. Sholola buried the chance and effectively killed off the game. NUIG did apply pressure as the game wore on but could not breach the home team’s rear guard. Sligo IT are next on the list and they are a side that won the CFAI Cup in 2009 by beating AIT in the semi final so a keenly contested affair is in the offing. AIT has won the last two CUFL Premier Division West titles.
CUFL First Division West - IT Sligo ‘B’ 2 Athlone IT ‘B’ 3
Our men’s second team also travelled to Sligo this week for the first round of the CUFL First Division west.
Under the guidance of Gerry Lennon, AIT played some great football in the first half and found themselves 3-0 up at half time. Goals coming from Jack Mendy ( 2) and Nasser Issifi (1). Early in the second half AIT should have gone four up when Jack again found himself one on one with the keeper but this time the keeper pulled off a great save. Sligo took over then for a twenty minute spell and managed to pull two goals back but AIT held out to take all three points. This team will also be hoping to retain the CUFL First Division title won last season for the first time.
AIT Development Squad 1 Gentex 5
Our development squad played their second challenge match of the season when they took on local side Gentex on Wednesday evening.
The development squad found it tough to cope with the pace of the Gentex strikers and they finally broke the deadlock after twenty five minutes. AIT’s Greg Musical pulled one back five minutes later after some great work from Shaun Henson and Eoin Smith. It wasn’t long till Gentex hit the net again which left the score line two one in their favor at the break.
AIT made nine changes at half time to give everyone a full forty minutes. Michael Gilboy and Eamonn Gallagher impressed down the left while Bogdan Grodzins and Patrick Barry dominated in centre midfield.
AIT was unlucky not to keep out Gentex 3rd goal but there was certainly nothing they could have done about the fourth. Some great work and link up down the left put Gentex in again and the finish this time was just quality, Cormac Mc Manus in goal had no chance. Gentex got another just before the end and the game finished five one in favor of the local side.
16th September 2009
Athlone Institute of Technology students Aisling Egan and Catriona Dolan selected for the Irish Colleges Soccer team 08/09
During the summer months the Irish Combined Colleges team competed in three events.
On 23rd April they travelled to Scotland where they trained and played both the Hamilton Academical Reserves and Premier team winning 11-2 and 5-0 respectively. AIT’s Aisling Egan playing in both games.
On 30th June they played a challenge match versus Monaghan Utd Ladies as part of the FAI AGM in Monaghan winning 2-1. AIT’s Catriona Dolan netted the winner on 80mins and Captain Aisling Egan produced an excellent defensive display at the heart of defence.
From 29thJuly - 1ST August they took part in the Carrickfergus International Womens Football Festival.
Unfortunately Aisling couldn’t travel due to injury but Catriona certainly flew the flag for AIT picking up the Top Goal Scorer award with two hatricks during the tournament.
The Irish team started with a very convincing 12-0 win over the Polish side Association Star on the Wednesday evening. Thursday they defeated Larne Ladies from Northern Ireland 1-0 which booked them a place in the Cup Semi Final against Centre College USA. The Irish team really flew out of the blocks on Friday evening and with Catriona Dolan netting a hatrick in the first half it really upset the American side who just couldn’t find a way back after half time, the game finished 5-1 in favor of the Irish side.
Saturday was the final day of the festival with loads of activities taking place both on and off the pitch in what was a fantastic tournament. The cup final kicked off at 3.00pm between the Irish Colleges and Bath. The Bath team certainly started the stronger and found themselves 2-0 up at half time. The second half was a very entertaining 30 minutes where the Irish team dominated from start to finish but unfortunately could only manage to pull one goal back in time and the game finished 2-1 in favor of the English side.
Congratulations to both Aisling and Catriona on their achievements and as we look forward to the start of another college term we wish them the best of luck in their final year and hopefully we will see them and more AIT students on the international seen this coming season.
7th September 2009
AIT Soccer Club Info - September 2009
Monday7th Sept -
All Weather Pitch @ 7.30pm
Wednesday 9th Sept -
All Weather Pitch @ 6.00pm
Tuesday 8th Sept
All Weather Pitch @ 7.30pm
Everyone welcome, just turn up at the pitch!
For further queries contact:
Maz Sweeney in Sports Office or on 086-7954369
21st April 2009
Colleges and Universities Futsal Cup 2009
After topping group one with wins over CSN and ITT, Athlone IT secured automatic place in the semi finals.
After the Quarter Finals AIT were drawn against CSN in the Semi but unfortunately the Cork side got the better of them this time and ran out 4-3 winners.
CSN went on to beat UCC in the final by 3 goals to 1.
AIT’s Craig Tone finished Top Scorer on the day with 5 goals.
16th April 2009
AIT Futsal Team through to National Finals
10th March 2009
Umbro Colleges FAI Cup Finals Beckon for AIT Men
AIT men’s soccer club play IT Sligo this Wednesday in the Umbro CFAI Cup semi final at 12pm at Salthill Devon’s excellent facility at Drom in Galway. The final will be played the following day in Drom. AIT qualified for the finals by beating GMIT Letterfrack in the first round and followed this up with a 5-1 win over defending champions Garda College in Athlone in the second round. That second round win on paper looks convincing but three late goals put a gloss on the score line even if AIT did deserve the win. A quarter final clash away to IT Blanchardstown resulted in a 3-0 win but the performance was not convincing. Hafeez Sholoha and Brian Cauldwell have been providing the goals, both have scored in every round, with Carmine Russo and Anthony Hayes controlling midfield this season. Alan Fox and new Irish College’s selection Kevin Gaylard make up the rest of the local players in the squad. IT Sligo is the opposition in the semi final with IT Carlow and IT Letterkenny matching up in the other game. AIT and Sligo drew in the league for the past two seasons so a tight game is expected. Sligo came second to AIT in the CUFL Premier Division West of the league with incidentally IT Carlow just behind in third place. Letterkenny are the hot favourites for the cup but manager Gordon Brett and coach Gerry Lennon believe the AIT lads are capable of causing an upset if they can overcome Sligo. The Institute have won the cup on four occasions, 1984, 1985, 1998 and 2004. Gordon Brett lifted the cup in 1998 while Athlone Town midfielder Damien Rush was the skipper the last time the cup came to Athlone in 2004.
9th February 2009
AIT Womens Team Qualified for the WSCAI Intervarsity Tournament 2009 after beating Trinity College Dublin 2-0 and Cork I.T 2-0. There were some outstanding performances on the day with Aisling Egan solid at the back, Catriona Dolan netting 3 of the 4 goals and 2 great performances from full back Ruth Finlas.
The draw took place after for the Intervarsity groups and AIT are grouped with the Garda College and University College Cork, 2 premier division so it certainly won’t be easy!
The tournament runs over 3 days and this year will take place in castlebar 5th, 6th and 7th March.
3rd February 2009
AIT Mens B team were narrowly defeated in the CUFL Semi Final against Sallynoggin.
The game was played in Greystones all weather pitch due to the bad weather andafter 90 minutes the game ended 4-3 in favour of the home side.
The AIT team captained by Darren Pierce can be very proud of their efforts and will hopefully build on the great team moral they have shown throught the season.
3rd February 2009
UCC defeat AIT 6-5 on penalties IN THE CUFL Premier Division Quarter Final after the match finished in a 1-1 draw.
27th January 2009
AIT Womens Soccer club are very grateful to Leisure World Athlone for their generous sponsorship of a new kit. The girls recently enjoyed an eventful social evening in the centre.
27th January 2009
Carmel Posing... And Again!!!!!
9th January 2009
Athlone I.T Soccer Clubs Season to Date:
Both the Mens 1st and 2nd teams won their respective leagues and the Womens team had a great win down in Waterford to leave them in 2nd place going into the final round of games.
The Mens first team managed by Gordon Brett and assisted by Gerry Lennon retained the CUFL Premier Division West while the reserve team managed by Gerry Lennon won the CUFL Division 1 West for the first time ever. This is the first time both teams have won trophies in the same season.
The first team will host UCC in the national quarter-final on the 28th Jan while the reserves travel to Sallynoggin College for the division 2 semi-final on Thur 29th Jan.
Our Womens team is in the WSCAI First Division after winning the Munster/Connaught Regional League last year. Division one has been a big step up for them but so far they have proved they are certainly good enough for this division and are currently fighting for promotion to the WSCAI Premier Division.
There have been some outstanding displays so far from Aisling Egan, Catriona Dolan, Orna O Dowd and Charlotte Delaney but to name a few.
A win in the final league game at home against St. Pats will guarantee at the very least 2nd place and a play off with 2nd from bottom in the Premier Division for promotion.
We also have the Challenge Cup Quarter Final away to DCU on 13th February and on Saturday 7th February we will compete in the WSCAI Intervarsity Qualifiers.
AIT have been very lucky with the quality of 1st years enrolled, Orna O Dowd, Marion Murray, Charlotte Delaney, Lisa Guinane, Edel O Reilly, Ruth Finlas , Orla Cawley, Henrietta Walsh, Karen Irwin, Allyson Young, Michelle Taylor and Amy Grehan have all played a massive part it our success to date, and with some of the more senior players Therese Fox, Carmel Treanor, Alma Geraghty, Aisling Egan, Catriona Dolan and Emma Hussey leading by example it promises to be an exciting end to the season, one in which we are all eagerly awaiting!!
5th December 2008
AIT Staff v Chinese Society
18th November 2008
AIT Womens Soccer Team move to 2nd in the WSCAI First Division after their 6-2 win over DCU
18th November 2008
CUFL Tables looking good for AIT going into the final round of games!
CUFL Premier West
CUFL Division 1 West
4th November 2008
Futsal League Groups
16th October 2008
Futsal Tournament
16th October 2008
Paul Mc Grath at AIT
11th October 2008
8th October 2008
AIT Facilitator Maz Sweeney
AIT First Team Advance in The CFAI Umbro Plate Quarter Final after winning 3-2 away from home to Cork College of Commerce.
AIT Goals scored by Stephen Rellihan, Aidan Reilly and Garvan Broughall.
AIT ‘B’ also secured a place in the B Teams Cup Quarter Final after an excellent win away from home to IT Sligo.
It was Sligo who found the net first though when just after 3 minutes on the clock Owen Cattigan put the home side in front.
AIT fought their way back into the game and got the equalizer five minutes into the second half. Luca Gastaldo firing home at the back post. AIT pressed hard for most of the second half but it wasn’t until the 87th minute they got the winner. A great strike from Paul Urbanski sealed the win for the Athlone side and secured their place in the Quarter Final.
For Photos click here