Athlone Town manager Aaron Callaghan felt that the number of injuries suffered by his side has contributed to their poor start to the season. The Midlands side have suffered defeat in each of their opening four SSE Airtricity League First Division g
Athlone Town manager Aaron Callaghan felt that the number of injuries suffered by his side has contributed to their poor start to the season.
The Midlands side have suffered defeat in each of their opening four SSE Airtricity League First Division games, with the latest being a 2-1 home loss to Cabinteely.
Such have been the injury problems this term that Athlone were forced to field midfielder Luke Kelly in goal for the Cabinteely game.
“Our goalkeeper goes down before the game, and we only have one goalkeeper because one of them is injured and the one of the other lads, because we’re all amateurs, was working,” Callaghan explained.
“We had a bit of a knock before kick-off when the goalkeeper turns his ankle, so we had to play an outfield player in goal.
“(Kelly) had a small spell with the u-19’s where he played a couple of games in goal. It’s not good preparation and it’s not ideal, it’s just the way it is. We seem to have that little bit of luck going against us at the moment.”
Cabinteely took the lead in the 51st minute, when centre-back Conor Keeley headed the ball home from a corner.
Athlone would level the game up when Jake O’Connor steered home a Felix Perez corner delivery in the 66th minute.
However, the visitors regained their lead only a minute later when Joe Doyle curled a wonderful left-footed strike into the top corner, before hanging on to claim all three points.
Despite another defeat, Callaghan is convinced his side are making progress.
“I said to the boys that I am proud of that performance, and I am proud of it. It takes a lot of courage and heart to go out there and know that your ‘keeper is not going to be behind you.
“To a man, I have to say Jake O’Connor was fantastic today, Aaron Brilly came on and did well in midfield, Dan O’Donovan is learning the ropes as a centre-half, and Ger Smith again.
“Since the first game of the season we have given lads 17 debuts in the league. I mean, there is no other team in the league that has done that,” Callaghan added.
