Competing in their inaugural Women’s National League (WNL ) campaign, Athlone Town AFC Ladies can reflect upon their on field playing exertions with pride as the squad, under the guidance of coach, Tommy Hewitt, finished in a highly respectable joint sixth position following the conclusion of their competitive fixtures in Lissywollen on Saturday night last.
Two goals from Emma Donohoe earned Athlone Ladies a creditable 2-1 victory over Bohemians ensuring the positive culmination to a compacted league season.
Speaking with the Athlone Advertiser as he reflected upon the competitive season during which three league victories and one draw were garnered from 11 fixtures played, Tommy asserted the positives and noted the developing cohesive spirit of his young playing squad.
“Ultimately, the season has concluded on a positive note and we were unbeaten following the splitting of the division into two groups. That is a positive which the playing squad can bring into next season.
“Prior to the start of the season, my aim was to field a team which would be remain competitive in all fixtures and despite our difficult start to the campaign when results were not as we hoped, the players were committed to the cause and were rewarded with a positive run of results as the competitive games concluded,” Tommy remarked.
While acknowledging that the inaugural season competing at such a level was a “building process”, Tommy believes there is potential upon which to be worked when the WNL returns in March of next year.
“The positive end to our league campaign will certainly give cause for optimism prior to the start of next season and the playing squad are so eager to return to training even though we finished on Saturday night.
“To their credit, for such a young squad they have given complete commitment to the playing cause in this shortened season and they have a strong future in the game,” Tommy asserted.
