Robinson hat-trick helps Athlone book play-off berth

Kyle Robinson bagged a hat-trick as Athlone came from behind to win 4-1 against champions Cork City.

Kyle Robinson, Athlone Town celebrates after scoring his second goal of three in the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division match at Athlone Town Stadium. Pic: Ray Ryan

First Division: Athlone Town 4 Cork City 1 

Athlone Town, the only team to beat First Division champions Cork City in the league season, repeated the dose at Lissywollen and they did so in resounding fashion by the finish.

Kyle Robinson bagged a hat-trick as Athlone came from behind to win 4-1, thereby clinching their place in the promotion play-offs with a game to spare.

With Athlone Town having won the Women's Premier Division title the previous Saturday night, this victory maintained the feel-good factor around the midlands outfit.

City took the lead through Ruairi Keating but Robinson levelled matters just before half-time, before going on to strike twice more in the second half. 

Substitute Peter McGregor added a fourth deep in stoppage time to complete a very satisfactory night for the home side.

Having already clinched the First Division crown in convincing fashion, City had nothing tangible to play for in this encounter. But they dominated early on with their slick passing to the fore.

As the Leesiders started to play with a swagger, as shown by some deft flicks back heels, Athlone almost took advantage of some possible over-confidence and Dean Ebbe’s attempt from close range was brilliantly saved by Bradley Wade.

Moments later, Oisin Duffy’s attempt was also stopped by Wade. Then the best chance thus far arrived. Daniel McKenna crossed, Ebbe headed down and Robinson had his attempt cleared off the line. Cork, after those ample warnings, soon got their bearings back again.

The game was briefly stopped due to a firework landing on the pitch. Shortly after the action resumed, the first goal arrived. The impressive Evan McLaughlin crossed from the left, Barry Coffey helped it on and Keating finished with his head in the 34th minute.

Just before the interval, however, Athlone spirits were lifted. Robinson latched on to a through ball and his excellent finish beat Wade to leave it 1-1 at half time.

In the second half, the fireworks were restricted to the players and they mostly came from the home side. On 48 minutes, Robinson's shot from some 25 yards beat Wade all ends up and nestled in the top corner of the Cork net.

Now brimming with confidence, Athlone started to take control with Aaron Connolly to the fore. In the 58th minute, Robinson completed his hat-trick with a left-foot shot from outside the box. Robinson's elegant left foot proved the decisive factor on the night.

Athlone were almost punished for falling asleep at the back when Cian Bargary's shot from close range was brilliantly smothered by the alert Enda Minogue.

But McGregor had the last word in the scoring stakes as Athlone claimed a victory that will surely boost confidence ahead of the play-offs.

Athlone Town: Enda Minogue, German Fuentes Rodriguez, Noah van Geenen, Daniel McKenna, Brian Torre, Aaron Connolly, Leo Gaxha, Gideon Tetteh, Oisin Duffy, Dean Ebbe, Kyle Robinson. 

Subs: Peter McGregor for Ebbe (62 mins), Agbo Babatunde for Tetteh (62), Jamar Campion Hinds for Robinson (75), Kyle Martin Conway for McKenna (79).

Cork City: Bradley Wade, Darragh Crowley, Niall Brookwell, John O'Donovan, Evan McLaughlin, Greg Bolger, Barry Coffey, Arran Healy, Joshua Fitzpatrick, Ruairi Keating, Malik Dijksteel.

Subs: Cian Murphy for Healy (67), Sean Murray for Keating (75) Harvey Skieters for Fitzpatrick (76), Noah Sowinski for McLaughlin (78), Cian Bargary for Dijksteel (79).

Referee: Daniel Murphy.