ATHLONE TOWN Under-21's somehow lost 1 - 0 to their Galway United counterparts on Saint Mel's Park on Sunday afternoon.

The visitors took the lead after nine minutes when Liam McKenna headed home at the back post from a corner kick.

However, Athlone dominated the match and in particular in the second half, they owned the ball.

Noel McGee and Alan Kelly both hit the bar, Michael Harney had a shot taken off the line and Town also had strong appeals for a penalty turned away by referee Joe Cassidy when McGee was taken down in the box.

Try as they might, Town just couldn't find the back of the net. However, this was an impressive committed display from Athlone, who on another day, could have hammered their opponents.

Next up, the Under-21's welcome Longford Town to Saint Mel's Park next Sunday July 9th.

ATHLONE TOWN: Philip Dully, Alan Kelly, Keith O'Reilly, Niall Scullion, Michael Harney, Anthony Hayes, Stephen Ryan, Carmine Russo, Zsolt Petro, Noel McGee, Iarfhlaith Davorne. SUBS: Shane Egan for Scullion (14), Kevin Cummins for Ryan (HT), Dave O'Brien for Petro (62), Serge Bakayoko for Russo (85).

GALWAY UNITED: Thomas Madden, Ronan O'Donnell, Kevin Stankard, Darryl Finn, Liam McKenna, Anthony O'Neill, Joe Jennings, Ciaran Foley, Michael Kennedy, Dave O'Dowd, Darren Kelly. SUBS: Andy Jacob for O'Donnell (26), Paul Kavanagh for Jennings (55), John Lavin for Kelly (74), Ross Gildea for Kennedy (74).

REFEREE: Joe Cassidy