Former hurdler Gillian Keenan believes last season's surprise packet Athlone Town can leap into title contention after a slow start to this season.
The midlanders came close to winning the double but lost out on the League crown to Shelbourne by two points and were also beaten by the Reds in the FAI Women's Cup final.
Athlone lost three of their best performers in Emily Corbet - the League's player of the year last term - Jess Hennessy and Melissa O'Kane in the close season, and are currently in sixth place, 12 points adrift of leaders Peamount United ahead of tomorrow's clash of the sides at PRL Park.