🗞️ Match Preview | Dundalk FC vs Athlone Town

Sean McGuinness
Aug 7, 2025
2 min read

📅 Date: Friday, August 8, 2025

⏰ Kick-off: 7.45PM

📍 Venue: Oriel Park

Dundalk FC return to Oriel Park this Friday night for Matchday 27 of the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division, as they welcome bottom-placed Athlone Town in a crucial clash at the top and tail of the table.

The Lilywhites are flying high after a six-point haul over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Ciarán Kilduff’s side followed up a 1-0 away win over UCD with a dominant 4-1 victory over Longford Town at Oriel Park, extending their lead at the top of the table to six points ahead of second-placed Cobh Ramblers.

📈 Form Guide

Dundalk have hit form at the right time, winning three games in a row and scoring eight goals in their last three fixtures. Confidence is high in the camp, and with just ten games remaining, every match is a step closer to the title.

Athlone Town, on the other hand, are rooted to the foot of the table. The Westmeath outfit are without a win since May 9th, a run that includes nine defeats and four draws. They'll be desperate to spark a turnaround, but face an uphill task in Oriel.

🔙 Previous Meetings

When these sides met in May, it ended in a goalless draw at Lissywollen, but Dundalk claimed a 1-0 win on the opening night of the season at Oriel thanks to a header from Vinnie Leonard.

Friday also marks a reunion for Declan McDaid and JR Wilson, both of whom joined Dundalk from Athlone in the mid-season window.

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Team News

Speaking ahead of the game, head coach Ciarán Kilduff gave us an update on the squad:

“Luke Mulligan picked up a bit of a knock and won’t be available for a couple of weeks. Norman Garbett is back in contention which is a boost. We’re still without Ethen Vaughan, Leo Gaxha, and Seán McHale for now, but we have good depth and energy heading into this one.”