'We need to turn those good performances into…

'We need to turn those good performances into results', says Athlone Town star

Athlone Town need to start turning their performances into results - or risk running out of time to challenge in the Women’s Premier Division this season.

That’s according to Chloe Singleton, who says the shortened season means there is little room for error.

The midlanders are sixth in the table, nine points off leaders Peamount United.

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They are doing better than they were at this stage last season - but there were three rounds of fixtures in 2022 and just two rounds this year.

“We play everyone twice, so it’s more difficult, you have less of a chance to catch up,” said the former Galway WFC midfielder.

“We are coming around to the second half of the season in the next couple of weeks, so it’s about gathering as many points as possible.

“Dropping points isn’t ideal with the way the new set-up is.

“When we compare this season to last season we actually have more points at this stage, but looking back at the last two games, that’s six points we’ve lost.

“But when we look at our performances, we are performing a lot better than last year, which is what we want.

“But it doesn’t really mean anything if we are not getting the three points.

“We are happy enough comparing this year to last year, but at the same time, with the shorter league, we want to be pushing on now and turning those good performances into actual results.”

Singleton swapped Galway for her native Athlone last winter - to the relief of her family!

“I’m from Athlone myself. Not many people know that. Everyone thinks I’m from Galway, because I was with them for five years,” she said.

“It’s a long-awaited move from my family’s perspective, I think they wanted me to go long before I did. But I’m happy I eventually made the move.

“To be fair, my family would get down to most of my home games, but they didn’t like the commute or the tolls.

“Now I’m only seven minutes around the corner from Athlone’s stadium. It makes a huge difference.

“Even after training I’m home, showered, fed and in bed by 10 o’clock. I don’t know myself. It’s great.”

The 22-year-old was in attendance yesterday at the draw for the inaugural Avenir Sports All-Island Cup, which takes place in June and July.

Athlone have been placed in Group 1 with Singleton’s former club Galway United, Shelbourne and Linfield.

“It will be interesting to see what the standard will be like. I think it’s a good idea to get this All-Island Cup going, because it will show the standard across all of Ireland,” she said.

“It’s an exciting thing to look forward to. We had the League Cup before, but obviously we didn’t have northern teams involved in that cup.

“It’s exciting to see what the standard is like. That’s what I’m most looking forward to.”

DRAW

Group 1: Galway United, Athlone Town, Linfield, Shelbourne

Group 2: Wexford Youths, Shamrock Rovers, Glentoran, Peamount

Group 3: Derry City, Sligo Rovers, Cliftonville, Bohemians

Group 4: DLR Waves, Treaty United, Cork City, Crusaders,

SCHEDULE

Group Stage, Round 1: June 18

Group Stage, Round 2: June 25

Group Stage, Round 3: July 2

Semi-Finals: July 9