Stephen Kelly had snapped up highly rated midfielder Gary Murphy, again on loan until the end of the season from Longford Town. Murphy is no stranger to Athlone, having played his schoolboy football with Willow Park. Also on his way back to Athlone is Shane Brennan. Brennan spent some time with the Under-21's before moving on to Mullingar Town. Mick Cooke then signed him for Monaghan United, but the pacy winger is back at St. Mel's Park until the end of the season.

More later.

Stephen Kelly has secured the services of Athlone native Paddy Mulvihill until the end of the current season. Mulvihill left local schoolboy club St. Francis for then Premier Division side UCD, but moved onto Longford Town after just one season at Belfield Park. He claimed an FAI Cup medal with Longford last season, but fell out of favour with Alan Matthews. He was allowed 'leave' the club, and this season concentrated on playing gaelic football with Garrycastle and Westmeath Under-21's. However, Longford retained his registration form, and he comes to his hometown club on loan for the remainder of the season.

Speaking after Friday's League win over Cobh Ramblers, Stephen Kelly was pleased with his accquisition. "It's a good signing. It gives us a few more options up front, giving us a little bit of strength. We only have three up front now, with Aido, Iarfhlaith and Mick - they're three little quick players, so a bigger fella, should give us another string to our bow."

Kelly is expected to conclude one or two other signings by end of business on Tuesday, when the August transfer window closes.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday August 30th 2004 are as follows:

30/08/04 - Venue: Lough Ree Inn
Numbers drawn were 8, 10, 11, 16

• Match 4 Winners [€8,250] - None.
• Match 3 Winners [€150 Shared] - James Ellis, SilverQuay; Jackie Cunningham, Clonown.
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - None.

The next draw takes place on Monday September 6th in Higgins Bar & Lounge for a jackpot of €8,400. Tickets are available at outlets throughout Town, from the Club Office on Magazine Road, or from Saint Mel's Park on match days. Tickets cost just €2, make sure you get your numbers in today!

JIMMY GREENE'S Under-17 side got their Dublin & District Schoolboy League Major Division campaign off to a flyer on Sunday after, when they beat Ballyfermot United 4 - 0 at McCarthy Park.

Town lead one nil at half-time, thanks to a 25 yard Noel McGee free kick. Carmine Russo and Kevin Duffy were both denied by the woodwork just before half-time, as Athlone looked to convert their vast possession into scores.

THE Under-21's proved too strong for their Dundalk counterparts on Sunday afternoon in Saint Mel's Park as they ran out comfortable 2 - 0 winners.

New signing Mark Eades had Town's best chance of the opening 25 minutes, when he set up the chance for himself after some good battling, but his long range effort was saved by Dundalk keeper Danny Woods. Both Iarfhlaith Davoren and Kevin Gaylard had half chances prior to this, but nothing to seriously worry the Dundalk number one.

The following suspensions were issued by the Disciplinary Commission at their meeting on Wednesday, 25th August 2004 and will take effect as and from Wednesday, 8th September 2004 unless otherwise stated:

Robert Shine (Athlone Town) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined EUR15 as a result of reaching four (4) penalty points.

Shane Barrett (Longford Town) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined EUR25 as a result of reaching four (4) penalty points.

The draw for the quarter-finals of the FAI Carlsberg Cup will take place on Tuesday August 31st in the Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links. Live coverage is again on RTE 6.1 News. In the hat are:

• Athlone Town
• Derry City/Shelbourne
• Drogheda United
• Kildare County
• Longford Town
• Rockmount
• UCD
• Waterford United

The Under-17 side kick off their new DDSL Major Division campaign this weekend, when they play host to Ballyfermot United. The game kicks off at 2pm on Sunday afternoon in St. Peters' McCarthy Park.

Meanwhile, the Under-21's are at home to Dundalk FC in a re-arranged game, as last week's match fell foul of the weather. Kickoff is set for 12 noon on Sunday afternoon in Saint Mel's Park.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday August 23rd 2004 are as follows:

23/08/04 - Venue: Carey's
Numbers drawn were 21, 24, 26, 28

• Match 4 Winners [€8,100] - None.
• Match 3 Winners [€150] - Marian Canavan, c/o Carey's.
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - None.

Next weekend Athlone Town's Under 17 side will make their debut in the Major Division of the Dublin and District Schoolboy League. Manager Jimmy Greene is hopeful of a successful season and is happy with the players he has assembled for the coming season.

Initially disappointed to lose John Connellan to Belvedere, he has high hopes that his young charges can make an impact in season 2004/2005. "The league is starting on the 29th of August. As yet I don't know what fixtures we have because you don't really get them until the week before. I think we will have to play two mid-week games in the first two weeks - one away and one at home.

The Under-21's are in action this weekend, when they take on Dundalk FC in Saint Mel's Park. Kickoff is at 12 noon on Sunday afternoon, August 22nd.

Meanwhile, the Ladies of Bealnamulla / Athlone Town bowed out of the WFAI Intermediate Cup at the semi-final stage against Wilton FC from Cork last Sunday afternoon in One Direct Park, Athlone. Matt Scally of the Westmeath Independent has all the details here.

The following suspensions were issued by the Disciplinary Commission at their meeting on Wednesday, 18th August 2004 and will take effect as and from Wednesday, 1st September 2004 unless otherwise stated:

John McNicholas (Athlone Town) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined EUR25 as a result of reaching four (4) penalty points.

Aaron Callaghan (Technical Staff, Longford Town) fined EUR50 and warned as to his future conduct as a result of being reported by the referee following the match v Shamrock Rovers (02.08.04).

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday August 16th 2004 are as follows:

16/08/04 - Venue: Potters
Numbers drawn were 1, 15, 21, 28

• Match 4 Winners [€7,950] - None.
• Match 3 Winners [€150 Shared] - Marty Lohan, Breda Lafferty.
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - None.

The FAI Cup Third Round fixture against Cobh Ramblers has been fixed for Friday August 20th in Saint Mel's Park. Kick-off is at the normal time of 7:45pm.

The other Third Round ties are as follows:

• Shelbourne Vs. Derry City
• Waterford United Vs. Kilkenny City
• Bohemians Vs. Kildare County
• Drogheda United Vs. Saint Patrick's Athletic
• UCD Vs. Drumcondra
• Longford Town Vs. Shamrock Rovers
• Rockmount Vs. Monaghan United

The Under-21's somehow contrieved to lose to Belgrove in Saint Mel's Park last Sunday afternoon. Much the better side, Town were one up by half-time, thanks to a 20th minute opener from Adrian Murphy. Garry McHugh had a good chance to double the lead seven minutes later, but the Belgrove 'keeper did well to save with his feet from the one-on-one situation.

After dominating the first period, Athlone ceded the lead just two minutes into the second half after a long ball forward made its way into the box. The initial shot was blocked by a Town defender, but 'keeper Anthony Fennelly could do nothing about the rebound shot.

Town failed to really press themselves on the game in the second half, despite forcing the Belgrove keeper into a number of good saves. Six minutes from time, they were punished for sloppy play at the back with a perfect lob over Fennelly, after Niall Donnelly gave away possesion.

Athlone Town: Anthony Fennelly, Keith O'Reilly, Robbie Shine, Robbie Hamm, Niall Donnelly, Les Browne, Michael Harney, Shane O'Brien, Noel McGee, Adrian Murphy, Garry McHugh. Subs: Anthony Hayes for Browne, Alan Kelly for O'Reilly, Iarfhlaith Davoren for McGee.

The following suspensions were issued by the Disciplinary Commission at their meeting on Wednesday, 11th August 2004 and will take effect as and from Wednesday, 25th August 2004 unless otherwise stated:

Robert Brosnan (Cobh Ramblers) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined EUR25 as a result of reaching four (4) penalty points.

Stephen Connolly (Dublin City) suspended for ONE (1) Under 21 League match as per FIFA directive and fined EUR25 as a result of being sent off v Dundalk (01.08.04). Suspension already served.

The Under-21's take on Belgrove this Sunday afternoon at 2pm in Saint Mel's Park. Elsewhere over the weekend in the North Leinster Section, Dundalk play host to Shelbourne, Longford Town take on Drogheda United and Mullingar Town entertain Bohemians.

On Monday evening, Dublin City take on Shelbourne, and the following evening, Longford Town are at home to Mullingar Town.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday August 9th 2004 are as follows:

09/08/04 - Venue: The Palace Bar
Numbers drawn were 2, 10, 23, 26

• Match 4 Winners [€7,800] - None.
• Match 3 Winners [€150] - Cass, Mary, Aine & Nicola.
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - None.

The following suspensions were issued by the Disciplinary Commission at their meeting on Wednesday, 4th August 2004 and will take effect as and from Wednesday, 18th August 2004 unless otherwise stated:

P.J. Banville (Waterford United) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined EUR15 as a result of reaching four (4) penalty points.

Alan Barry (Limerick) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined EUR25 as a result of reaching four (4) penalty points.

Kenny Browne (Waterford United) suspended for TWO (2) competitive matches and fined EUR25 as a result of being sent off v Cobh Ramblers (19.07.04). Automatic suspension in next Under 21 League match as per FIFA directive already served and one Under 21 competitive match as and from Wednesday, 18th August.

ATHLONE TOWN managed to hold on for a point against third placed Dublin City in this Dr. Tony O'Neill Under 21 fixture in ALSAA on Sunday afternoon last.

Wet and windy weather made for unpleasant conditions as both sides failed to break the deadlock as new City boss, Roddy Collins, looked on from the comforts of his car. Athlone perhaps shaded the first half play with plenty of possession but really only carved out one real dangerous opening that should have led to a goal from Robbie Moroney.

The draw for the third round of the Carlsberg FAI Senior Challenge Cup was made earlier this week in the Gravity Bar, Guinness Storehouse, Dublin.

Ex-Ireland great Ronnie Whelan and ex-Athlone Town player and new Dublin City manager Roddy Collins made the draw live on RTE 6.1 News on Tuesday evening.

First out of the hat were Drogheda United, currently riding high in second spot in the Premier Division. They were followed out by St. Patrick's Athletic in the first of three all Premier Division ties.

Non-league Drumcondra were drawn away to UCD, conquerors of Cork City in the second round. The only other non-league team in the draw, Rockmount will fancy their chances at home to Monaghan United, who crashed out to Skerries in last year's competition.

Athlone Town were drawn at home to Cobh Ramblers, evoking memories of the 2000/01 'almost promotion' season when Town went out in a third round replay at home to Cobh. Damn that little Willie Bruton!

The full draw is as follows:

Drogheda United Vs. Saint Patrick's Athletic
Longford Town Vs. Shamrock Rovers
Rockmount Vs. Monaghan United
Athlone Town Vs. Cobh Ramblers
Shelbourne Vs. Derry City
Waterford United Vs. Kilkenny City
Bohemians Vs. Kildare County
UCD Vs. Drumcondra

The following suspensions were issued by the Disciplinary Commission at their meeting on Wednesday, 28th July 2004 and will take effect as and from Wednesday, 11th August 2004 unless otherwise stated:

Jason Byrne (Shelbourne) suspended for ONE (1) eircom League match as per FIFA directive and fined €50 as a result of being sent off v Drogheda United (18.07.04). Suspension to be served.

Dan Connor (Waterford United) suspended for TWO (2) competitive matches and fined €50 as a result of being sent off v Dublin City (15.07.04). Automatic suspension in next eircom League match as per FIFA directive to be served and one competitive match as and from Wednesday, 11th August.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday August 2nd 2004 are as follows:

02/08/04 - Venue: Higgins' Bar & Lounge
Numbers drawn were 11, 22, 24, 25

• Match 4 Winners [€7,650] - None.
• Match 3 Winners [€150] - None.
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - Glen Costello c/o Potters.

ATHLONE TOWN Under-21's recorded a fine 3 - 1 victory over Drogheda United in Saint Mel's Park on Saturday afternoon.

This was a thoroughly deserved win for Colm Muldoon's charges, for bar a fifteen minutes spell after the break, they dominated proceedings. After surviving two early scares from Drogheda, Town had their first of many scoring opportunites after 8 minutes. Iarfhlaith Davoren, who made his impressive first team debut the previous evening in Dundalk, shot over from the edge of the box.

Davoren and striking partner Noel McGee were lively up front, but were finding it hard to beat the Drogheda offside trap. Had they done so, they could have had the game wrapped up by half-time.

The draw for the Third Round of the Carlsberg FAI Cup takes place on Tuesday August 3rd in the Gravity Bar, Guinness Storehouse, Dublin.

The draw will again be televised live on RTE 6.1 News. The sixteen teams in the hat are as follows:

• Athlone Town
• Bohemians
• Cobh Ramblers
• Derry City
• Drogheda United
• Drumcondra
• Kildare County
• Kilkenny City
• Longford Town
• Monaghan United
• Rockmount
• Saint Patrick's Athletic
• Shamrock Rovers
• Shelbourne
• UCD
• Waterford United