The following suspensions were issued by the Disciplinary Commission at their meeting on Wednesday, 28th April 2004 and will take effect as and from Wednesday, 12th May 2004 unless otherwise stated:

Pat Devlin (Manager, Bray Wanderers) fined €50 and warned as to his future conduct as a result of being sent from the technical area v Kildare County (16.04.04).

Niall Donnelly (Athlone Town) suspended for ONE (1) eircom League match as per FIFA directive and fined €50 as a result of being sent off v Limerick (16.04.04). Suspension already served.

Bealnamulla Athlone Town Ladies contest the final of the Bella Pollard Midlands Senior Cup on Sunday afternoon, when they take on Portlaoise in O'Hara Park, Clara. The Athlone girls are looking to retain the Cup, which they won last year in its inaugural year. Kick off is at 2:30pm.

The popular ADSL Under-8 League resumes tomorrow week, Friday May 7th at Athlone Regional Sports Centre. Full fixtures when available. The ADSL have also released an updated schedule for League and Cup semi-finals and finals - click here for details. This weekend's fixtures are also available here.

The eircom League has today (April 29th) announced that Athlone Town's appeal to the FAI in relation to the deduction of three points and a fine of EUR2,500 for playing an unregistered player (Michael McCann) in their eircom League First Division fixture v Monaghan United on March 19th has been unsuccessful. Therefore, the three deducted points that were reinstated pending the outcome of the appeal have now been deducted.

An updated League table is available here.

The Club expect to be informed in writing in the coming days, that its appeal to a three point deduction for fielding an unregistered player against Monaghan United, has failed. The appeal was heard on Tuesday evening in Dublin, and it is thought the three person panel was split 2 - 1 against Athlone.

Club is legal taking advice before deciding on any further course of action.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday April 26th 2004 are as follows:

26/04/04 - Potters, Irishtown
Numbers drawn were 16, 19, 22, 28

• Match 4 Winners [€5,550] - None.
• Match 3 Winners [€150] - Terry O'Neill , Danes Hill, Athlone.
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - None

Bealnamulla Athlone Town Ladies progressed to the Final of the Bella Pollard Cup on Sunday afternoon. The Athlone girls travelled down to Kilkenny to take on Freshford, and returned with a 2 - 0 victory. This sets up a Final showdown against Portlaoise. In two League meetings this season, each side took one victory each.

The Final takes place in O'Hara Park, Clara on Sunday May 2nd. Kick off is at 2:30pm.

Hard luck to Saint Joseph's Under-16 side which lost 4 - 1 away to Ardmore in Co. Wicklow on Sunday afternoon in the SFAI Cup quarter final replay.

Congratulations to the Athlone Community College team which won the All-Ireland Vocational Schools Junior Football 'A' Final last Sunday in Clones.

A big shock over the weekend, as Finn Harps announced on Sunday afternoon that manager Noel King had parted company with the north western club. The Dublin based King, who is manager of the Irish Ladies team, and soccer pundit on TV3's 'eircom League Weekly', said he could not give 100% commitment to the job. Earlier that weekend, his side drew 1 - 1 away to Galway United.

Four games took place on Saturday evening, the pick of the bunch being a top of the table clash between Kildare County and UCD. The game failed to live up to its billing however, ending in a drab 0 - 0 draw. At the other end of the table, Limerick played host to Monaghan United. The Division's worst defences were saved by the Division's worst attacks - the game ended 0 - 0.

Sligo Rovers blew away Kilkenny City 4 - 1, with a hat-trick from Stephen O'Donnell, despite Kilkenny taking an early lead through Philip Gorman. In the final game of the weekend, Dundalk snatched a 1- 0 win away to Cobh Ramblers. Dundalk had striker Garry Haylock sent off four minutes into injury time, but with the last kick of the game, Trevor Vaughan fired the ball home from a rebounded free-kick.

The following suspension was issued by the Disciplinary Commission at their meeting on Wednesday, 21st April 2004 and will take effect as and from Wednesday, 5th May 2004 unless otherwise stated:

Aaron Callaghan (Manager, Athlone Town) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match, fined €50 and warned as to his future conduct as a result of being sent from the technical area v Sligo Rovers (10.04.04). Aaron Callaghan to be positioned at least 50 metres from the technical area for this match.

The Athlone & District Schoolboy League have announced dates for its League and Cup semi-finals and finals. Click here for details.

Best of luck to St. Josephs, who take on Ardmore in the SFAI U-16 quarter final replay this Sunday April 25th.

Congratulations to Saint Francis, who won the Solar Travel Holiday World Cup in Liverpool recently. The boys beat off Irish and English opposition to take the title. John Connellan, who joined his St. Francis team mate for the final couple of games, after flying back from the Castelo Blanco tournament in Portugal, will be back in action for the Irish Under-16 squad next week. John is expected to feature in the first game against Holland, next Tuesday in Dublin.

Finally, best of luck to Bealnamulla Athlone Town Ladies, who are away to Freshford in the semi-final of the Bella Pollard Cup this Sunday afternoon.

Pete Gouding poem, 'The Heart of 'Oul Ireland' has been added to the features section. Graeme Loughman interview has also been added. Enjoy!

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday April 19th 2004 are as follows:

19/04/04 - Lough Ree Inn, Coosan Point
Numbers drawn were 10, 17, 25, 27

• Match 4 Winners [€5,400] - None.
• Match 3 Winners [€150] - Adam Powell, c/o The Fiddlers Bar.
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - None

A number of semi finals are taking place in the various leagues and cups in the ADSL this weekend. Click here for all the details.

UCD moved back to the top of the eircom League First Division table over the weekend with a comprehensive win away to Monaghan United. A brace from Paddy McWalter and one from Robert McAuley secured the points. Similar to the Athlone Limerick game, UCD had a penalty saved, with Sean Kelly and Graham Doyle shown red cards for Monaghan.

At the Carlsie Grounds, Bray Wanderers came from behind to snatch a 1 -1 draw against Kildare County. Bray missed the chance to take all three points on 26 minutes, when captain Eddie Gormley missed a penalty. In the north west derby game, Finn Harps were much too strong for Sligo Rovers, running out 3 - 0 winners with goals from Shane Bradley, Paddy McGrenaghan and Neil Lloyd.

In the final game of a busy Friday night, Galway United could only manage a disappointing 0 - 0 draw at home to Cobh Ramblers. In the first game of the weekend, Kilkenny City kept their good run going when they took a point away from Oriel Park. Kilkenny took the lead after only four minutes through Barry Wood. It took an hour for Dundalk to reply, Andy Noonan with a long range effort.

See the updated table after the weekend's results.

Youth Development Officer Jimmy Greene picked his Best Ever Athlone Town XI for Friday's edition of the Irish Daily Mirror. His selection lines out as follows:

Manager: Turlough O'Connor

Share your own views on the Best Ever Athlone Town Player in the forum by clicking here.

Ballinasloe Town were this week's participants in the Half Time Penalty Shoot Out competition. Eanna Concannon was in goal, with Gerard Blaine battling it out with Edward Mongan and Declan Doharty for a place in the semi-final.

With Declan missing his third penalty, it went to sudden death between Gerard and Edward. Another three rounds passed, before Gerard hit the post with his seventh attempt. The pressure was all on the Edward, but the little Ballinasloe star kept his cool and fired past Eanna to secure his place in the semi-final. Congratulations to him.

Michael Francis accepts a cheque from Brian Claffey of Biddy Mulligans, Pub Sponsor for the Limerick game. Also pictured from left to right are Aaron Callaghan, Liam Gaffey and Padraig Moran. Pic: Padraig Devanney.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday April 12th 2004 are as follows:

12/04/04 - Carey's, Mardyke Street
Numbers drawn were 1, 4, 6, 20

• Match 4 Winners [€5,250] - None.
• Match 3 Winners [€150] - Conor Frawley.
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - None

The following suspension was issued by the Disciplinary Commission at their meeting on Wednesday, 14th April 2004:

Alvin Rouse (Sligo Rovers) suspended for ONE (1) eircom League match as per FIFA directive and fined €50 as a result of being sent off v Bray Wanderers (02.04.04). Suspension already served.

Athlone & District Schoolboy League fixtures for week ending Sunday April 18th 2004 are available here.

After winning their quarter-final away to Evergreen on Good Friday on a 1 - 0 scoreline, Bealnamulla Athlone Town Ladies will again have to travel down to Kilkenny for their semi-final. The defending champions will travel down on Sunday April 25th to meet the challenge of Freshford.

As a result of Athlone Town lodging an appeal with the FAI in respect of the deduction of three points and a fine of €2,500 for playing an unregistered player, the three deducted points have been reinstated pending the outcome of that appeal.

See revised League table here.

In the final piece of Kevin O'Neill's special on Turlough O'Connor, Turly predicts Athlone Will Be Back.

In the features section of the website, Ruth O'Brien of the Athlone Topic talks to Athlone's longest current serving player, Micky Collins. Click here for more.

The following suspensions were issued by the Disciplinary Commission at their meeting on Wednesday, 31st March 2004 and will take effect as and from Wednesday, 14th April 2004 unless otherwise stated:

Eamonn Collins (Manager, St. Patrick's Athletic) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined €100 as a result of being sent from the technical area v Derry City (19.03.04). Eamonn Collins to be positioned at least 50 metres from the technical area for this match.

Pat Dolan (Manager, Cork City) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined €100 as a result of being sent from the technical area v Dublin City (19.03.04). Pat Dolan to be positioned at least 50 metres from the technical area for this match.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday April 5th 2004 are as follows:

05/04/04 - Higgins', Barrack Street
Numbers drawn were 2, 6, 7, 12

• Match 4 Winners [€5,100] - None.
• Match 3 Winners [€150] - Kathleen Sweeney, 45 Sarsfield Square.
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - None.

Anyone interested in becoming a selling agent for the Lotto should contact Liam Gaffey on 087 1213147 or email info@athlonetownfc.com. Next week's draw will take place on Bank Holiday Monday in Carey's of Gleeson Street for a jackpot of €5,250.

eircom League Statement, Monday April 5th 2004

The eircom League has today announced that Athlone Town have been deducted three points and fined EUR2,500 for playing an unregistered player, namely Michael McCann in their eircom League First Division match versus Monaghan United on Friday, March 19th 2004. The decision was taken at tonight's (April 5th) eircom League Board of Control meeting.

Athlone Town Football Club Statement, Tuesday April 6th 2004

The Club feels it has a very strong case for appeal, with a League bye-law on its side.

An appeal will be lodged within the requisite time, and the Club is hopeful of seeing the decision over-turned.

The penultimate part of Kevin O'Neill's special on Turlough O'Connor has been added to the 'past players' section of the website. This week, Kevin talks to Athlone's most successful manager about leaving the Town.

This season's Penalty Shoot Out Competition got underway at half time during Athlone's last home match to Kilkenny City on Friday night. Mark McCallon, Matthew Shine and Sean Brennan were the representatives of Willow Park, with Aidan O'Dea in goal.

Mark McCallon ran out the eventual winner after it went to sudden death with Matthew Shine. Congratulations to Mark, who will be back in action in the latter stages of the competition.

Athlone & District Schoolboy League Fixtures for week ending Sunday April 11th are available here.

Kildare County went top of the First Division on Saturday night, when they overcame Cobh Ramblers 2 - 1 at Station Road. Two early goals from Barry O'Connor and ex-Athlone midfielder Shane Harte set County on their way, and despite a goal from James Brosnan just before half time, the Thoroughbreds held out for the win.

Ken Bryan of Bus Eireann presents a match sponsorship cheque to Michael Francis of Athlone Town FC at Town's last home game to Kilkenny City. Also pictured is Tony Knight, Athlone Town FC. Pic: PJ Murray.

On a busy Friday night, Bray Wanderers trounced Athlone's next opponents Sligo Rovers 4 - 0. Rovers had 'keeper Alvin Rouse sent off after 28 minutes, and so will miss the visit of Athlone on Saturday night. Ronan Frawley popped up with his first and second goals for his new club Galway United, as they overcame Limerick by three goals to one. Kevin McHugh made his first appearance of the season for Finn Harps, and scored an important goal against fellow promotion hopefuls UCD to take all three points in Finn Park.

In the first First Division game of the weekend, Monaghan United got one over local rivals Dundalk, when Alan O'Connor struck a perfect volley past Chris Bennion in the Dundalk goal to secure their first win of the season.