Defeat for Finn Harps in First Division opener as Athlone Town come from behind

Finn Harps may have scored the first goal of the 2026 League of Ireland First Division race, but they weren’t able to turn that into a positive result in Athlone, eventually succumbing to a 2-1 defeat to the resurgent midlanders on Friday night.

There is a feel-good factor about Athlone with new American ownership and the meteoric rise of their league-winning women’s team, and over 1,100 supporters filed into Athlone Town Stadium to see how they would fare against the Harps.

A frantic and all-action start saw the home side win three early corners and draw a superb save out of Ballyshannon man Corey Sheridan with a curling shot from the edge of the box, but Harps sucked the air out of the arena when Idir Zerrouk neatly nodded a right-wing cross down into the path of Temiloluwa Ajibola, and the 25-year-old debutant got a decisive touch to flick the ball to the net and crown his debut with a goal after just over five minutes of action.

Had Harps held on for a while, that might have increased tension levels in a new-look Athlone team, but ironically, it was good play from two former Harps men that was to be their undoing.

Patrick Ferry’s right wing cross was headed off the post and just about over the goal-line by Peter Grogan in the 12th minute, then just after the half-hour mark Gradi Lomboto sent a tantalising low delivery from the left across the ‘corridor of uncertainty’, and in his attempt to clear the ball, Zerrouk only succeeded in deflecting the ball past Sheridan for a second goal.

The home side’s 2-1 lead was the least they deserved however as from the moment Ajibola scored, they controlled the play and operated at a very high tempo, harassing and haunting Harps players in possession while attacking with intent and pace themselves.

Perrault Tokam, another of four players making their Harps debut, showed good power and composure to hold ground in front of the back four, while Conor Tourish cleared one ball off the line and another couple of chances, most notably a Kyle O’Connor free, sailed fractionally wide of the posts at the Harps end. 

For their part, Kevin McHugh’s charges didn’t have a meaningful attempt on goal, and it was only in the second half when they started to compete on a more even footing, in no small part because of Shaunie Bradley and Adam McDaid offering more energy and vim off the bench.

Clear looks at the Athlone goal were still rare, with an acrobatic strike from Bradley and a long range Gavin McAteer effort – both well off target – all that they could muster.

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Athlone also found life much tougher, not to mention struggling to keep up the same pace.

Just as the five minutes of added time began, Harps had their chance to snatch something from the game.

McAteer’s delightful flick opened up room for Nathan Lumingo to pick his spot from 16 yards out, and the substitute striker directed his shot perfectly towards the bottom left corner, only for Brendan Clarke to come up trumps with the first meaningful save he was asked to make.

A second yellow card for Daniel De Lacerda meant that Athlone were able to control that last five minutes however, meaning that Finn Harps now must look to the visit of UCD next Friday as their next chance to get their first points of the 2026 season. 

Athlone Town: Brendan Clarke; James Roche, Oisín Hand (Reece Webb 54), Evan O’Connor, Kyle O’Connor; Aaron Moloney, Brian McManus; Patrick Ferry (Robert Lyons 69), Aaron Connolly, Gradi Lomboto; Peter Grogan (Cillian Tollett 79).

Finn Harps: Corey Sheridan; Josh Cullen, Daniel De Lacerda, Conor Tourish, Idir Zerrouk; Perrault Tokam; Gavin McAteer, Oran Brogan (Odhran McHugh 74), Tony McNamee (Nathan Lumingo 74), Bernardo Monteiro (Adam McDaid 66); Temiloluwa Ajibola (Shaunie Bradley 31).

Referee: Robert Dowling.