Cooke signs Skinner & Rusk to Athlone Town

Mick Cooke continues to build his Athlone Town squad ahead of their return to the League of Ireland Premier Division with the announcement of two more signings.

Former Drogheda United and Shelbourne goalkeeper Paul Skinner has re-signed for the midlands club whilst Graham Rusk becomes the fourth player to follow Cooke from the Drogs to Athlone.  

Skinner, formerly on the books at Glasgow Celtic, was signed to Athlone Town by Roddy Collins in December 2012 and featured heavily in the 2013 Championship winning season.

Rusk becomes the fourth player to follow Cooke from his former to his new club. The midfielder/forward began his League of Ireland career in 2009 winning promotion with UCD. As the club moved up to the Premier Division he continued to appear, either wide in midfield or up front, making 24 league appearances in 2010 but failing to hit the net. 

But, in 2011 with the departure of so many of UCD's leading lights, Graham had an opportunity to establish himself as first choice striker and in 32 league outings he hit the net nine times, adding two further goals in the EA Sports Cup. The following year Graham scored seven league goals in just 13 league appearances but at the end of the 2012 season he left UCD to sign for Mick Cooke at Drogheda United scoring twice in 22 appearances.