Athlone Town got life in their new stadium off to a good start when they easily accounted for Kilkenny City by 3-0 tonight in the eircom League of Ireland First Division.
The home side handed debuts to six new players, while new City boss Brendan Rea started his managerial career with the Cats in a new-look line-up.
Athlone Town dominated throughout but could not find a way past City keeper John McGuinness in the opening half.
New signing Paul McTiernan and local lad Noel McGee came closest to breaking the deadlock in the opening half as the home side struggled to break down the visitors. Michael Comerford was the most dangerous among the visiting ranks.
The second half continued in a similar vein and it looked like it would be a frustrating night for the 'Town as Kilkenny defended in depth.
City did have the first chance on the resumption when Francis Rocketts free kick cleared the bar but otherwise it was a quiet night for goalkeeper Danny O’Leary and the home defence.
An inspired double substitution by manager Michael O'Connor in the last 15 minutes was ultimately to decide the outcome of the game.
David O'Dowd, who was on the pitch just four minutes for McGee, scored the first ever competitive goal at the new ground on 79 minutes when he finished off Stevie Gavins right-wing cross.
He found the target again just two minutes later with a neat turn and shot.
Veteran striker Eric Lavine sealed victory for the home side in the final minute when he finished a left-wing cross from Colm Heffernan to the net.
The win sent the home support of over 2,000 away happy having gained an early position at the top of the table.
Athlone: O'Leary, Rossiter, Young, Frawley, Sheridan, Harty, Gavin, Byrne, McGee (O’Dowd 74 mins), McTiernan (Lavine 76), Heffernan.
Kilkenny: McGuinness, Nagle, Rockett, Fitzgerald, Falvey, Grant, Comerford, Fogarty, O'Connor, Tynan (Walsh 72 mins), Polewczak (Hayes 85).
Referee: P Sutton (Clare).
