đď¸ Match Preview | Dundalk FC vs Athlone Town
- Sean McGuinness
- Aug 7, 2025
- 2 min read

đ Date:Â Friday, August 8, 2025
â° Kick-off:Â 7.45PM
đ Venue:Â Oriel Park
Dundalk FC return to Oriel Park this Friday night for Matchday 27 of the SSE Airtricity Menâs 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. CiarĂĄn Kilduffâs 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.

đ 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.
đ 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.
Team News
Speaking ahead of the game, head coach Ciarån Kilduff gave us an update on the squad:
âLuke Mulligan picked up a bit of a knock and wonât be available for a couple of weeks. Norman Garbett is back in contention which is a boost. Weâre still without Ethen Vaughan, Leo Gaxha, and SeĂĄn McHale for now, but we have good depth and energy heading into this one.â
đ Fixture Details

đ SSE Airtricity Menâs First Division â Matchday 26
â˝ Dundalk FC vs Athlone Town
đ Oriel Park
đ Friday, August 8, 2025
â° 7.45PM kick-off
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