Updated at 15.20
Athlone Town 6
Drogheda United 0
ATHLONE TOWN RECORDED only their second win of the season at the hands of Drogheda United in memorable fashion, slotting six past Dylan Connolly thanks to first-half goals from Philip Gorman and Derek Prendergast, capped off by James O’Brien, Sean Brennan, Ian Sweeney and a second from Philip Gorman giving the Town a boost in morale going into the mid-season break.
Both teams cancelled each other out in the opening half hour with a lack of chances for either side. Athlone did break the deadlock before half-time, when Sean Brennan, Derek Doyle and Philip Gorman all linked up, as the forward placed his header into the back of the net, with Dylan Connolly’s positioning not helping in the Drogheda goals.
Athlone doubled their lead three minutes later, when Kealan Dillion crossed in for captain Derek Prendergast, who headed forcefully into the top corner.
The Town entered the second half with a more positive morale than seen in recent weeks, and it took them only 10 minutes to add to their lead, when Mark Hughes broke the offside trap by producing a clinical through ball, with James O’Brien catching onto the pass before shooting past Dylan Connolly, putting the home side 3-0 ahead in the process.
Alan McNally’s pass back to the keeper ended in misery, when his header ended up too short, with Philip Gorman intercepting the pass and rounding the keeper to mark a memorable night for the home side, as he celebrated his second of the game.
Athlone’s night wasn’t over just yet, as Sean Brennan and Ian Sweeney rounded off an excellent display for the home side, breathing a new lease of life in their bid to survive in the Premier Divison.
Athlone Town - Paul Skinner, Sean Byrne (Declan Brennan 71), Derek Prendergast (c) Kealan Dillon, Mark Hughes, Philip Gorman (Tomas Mulroney 71) Sean Brennan, Neil Harney, James O’Brien, Stephen Quigley, Derek Doyle
Drogheda United – Dylan Connolly, Michael Daly (c) (Sean O’Connor 31m) Shane Grimes, Alan McNally, Paul Crowley, Cathal Brady, Gary O’Neill, Ciaran McGuigan, Carl Walshe, Daire Doyle, Declan O’Brien.
Premier Division results:
Shamrock Rovers 0 – 2 Cork City
Bray 0 – 5 Bohs
Dundalk 0 – 0 St Patrick’s Athletic
Limerick 2 – 1 UCD
Sligo 2 – 2 Derry
Athlone 6 — 0 Drogheda