‘We’re creating something here that is going to be very, very big’
Hewitt feels immense pride and a degree of frustration
By Daire Walsh
DESPITE showing immense pride in his players, Athlone Town manager Tommy Hewitt cut a somewhat frustrated figure in the aftermath of the FAI Women’s Cup final at Tallaght Stadium on Sunday.
Courtesy of first-quarter goals from Jessie Stapleton and Pearl Slattery, Shelbourne held off the challenge of Athlone to secure a 2-0 win and – by extension – the domestic double for 2022. There were some question marks surrounding Stapleton’s opener, however, with Hewitt questioning the awarding of a free-kick in the lead-up to her bundled finish.
There was also a suggestion that Athlone netminder Niamh Coombes might have been impeded in attempting to gather possession from this set-piece move. Additionally, the decision to disallow a Scarlett Herron effort for offside on 70 minutes was a very marginal call based on television replays.
“Congratulations to Shelbourne, but at the end of the day I’m bitterly disappointed that people can’t do their jobs properly. The second half, Shelbourne didn’t put a glove on us and I think if we had scored at that time we’d go on and win the game. That’s how confident I was, but again, you’re relying on other people to do their jobs. That’s football, that’s sport, isn’t it?” Hewitt explained.
“It’s not even a free-kick [for the first goal]. I’m standing five yards away from it and I don’t even know how he can give that free-kick, but look we have to defend it better. Someone was telling me as well that the keeper could have been impeded. I haven’t seen that part of it, but listen all credit to Shels. They’re double champions.”
Considering they claimed the runners-up spot in the Women’s National League this year following back-to-back seventh-place finishes in 2020 and 2021, this season was regarded as a great one for Athlone even before their maiden cup final appearance.
Defending champions Shels ultimately pipped them to the WNL post and Sunday’s grand showpiece, but the Town have made massive strides throughout 2022. Once the heartbreak of Sunday’s loss passes, Hewitt acknowledged it will be remembered as an outstanding year for Athlone.
“When we sit down and reflect on it [it will be remembered as a great year]. Disappointment now, the girls as you’ve seen are devastated, but absolutely. I’m immensely proud of this group, of the club. For myself to lead these girls out was fantastic with a brilliant backroom team.”
After developing a strong squad that challenged for top honours on two fronts, Hewitt is confident the current crop of players will return with a spring in their step for 2023. He confirmed that he was also looking to recruit some new faces to Lissywollen and is firm in his belief that Athlone will only get better from here.
“Why would they want to leave Athlone at this moment in time? I think where we’re going, I can’t see why they’d want to go anywhere else. Maybe last year, but not this year. I think we’re creating something here that is going to be very, very big in the next couple of years. If we keep that group together, but I know we will keep that group together,” Hewitt added.
“Look how far we’ve come in two and a half years. We’re going to be different animal next year, I can guarantee you that and we’ll take decisions like that out of referees’ hands. If we can add one or two to that, and we’ve an exciting young group of girls coming through as well, we’ll be ready for the next couple of years to take over this league.”