Conan Byrne worked the oracle once again for Sporting Fingal with a second half winner, despite their having to play for 75 minutes with ten men.

Robert Bayly gave Sporting the perfect start with the lead goal after just 13 minutes.

But within three minutes visiting skipper Shaun Maher was sent off.

Athlone used the numerical advantage to good effect to level ten minutes before the break when recent signing Franco Georgescu scored his first goal for the club.

But Sporting battled back well with their ten men in the second half and were rewarded on the hour mark when in-form right winger Byrne got their winner with his fifth goal in three games.

The win lifts Sporting above Waterford into third place, and into the play-off positions, on goal difference.