Season Preview 2008: Athlone Town

The Club

Given the emphasis placed on the acquisition of property in modern Irish society, it's perhaps unsurprising that Athlone Town's relocation to a new stadium at Lissywoolen was regarded, prior to the move, as a panacea for the club's many and varied ills. Which isn't to say that the upping of sticks was in any way unnecessary; on the contrary, St. Mel's Park (the arena in which the club's glory days of the early 1980s were played out) was in so grave a state of disrepair that it had begun to resemble a cross between a chicken coop and a concentration camp.

However, like a family curse, the club's travails and divisions followed it to its new home. Manager and Athlone legend Michael O'Connor quit in July, as his expensively-assembled squad flopped badly. Never in realistic play-off contention, Athlone finished sixth of a weak field, behind even a cobbled-together Shelbourne side; the high-point of an indifferent season saw local rivals Longford Town vanquished on penalties in the first round of the League Cup. Athlone eventually reached the quarter-finals, where they fell to a single goal by former St. Mel's favourite Andy Myler, now at Shamrock Rovers.

Assistant manager Dermot Lennon shepherded the side through the wreckage of a season best forgotten and has been confirmed in the position for the 2008 season. His budget has been drastically cut from that available to his predecessor, however, and expectations will be limited accordingly. A transfer embargo necessitated by the club's precarious financial predicament has prevented Lennon from utilizing even those minuscule funds available to him. As such, Athlone can scarcely be expected to hit the ground running in 2008. Indeed, the forthcoming season seems likely to be one of - not consolidation, because that comes later - but convalescence. The club's desire to correct its wayward course appears sincere, but it will be some time before the exploits of the great Athlone Town teams cease to be the stuff of pub-based reminiscence and start being re-enacted on the playing field.

The Manager

One of the major grievances levelled against the club by supporters in recent years has been the remote nature and provenance of those sporting the club badge on the field and calling the shots from the touchline. The engagement of a largely Dublin-based squad (at one point the team even trained in Dublin) has resulted in a certain amount of disaffection amongst locals. There can be no such complaints, however, about manager Dermot Lennon. A local man whose previous experience of management was with Roscommon side Monklands, Lennon has assumed full control of the team after serving in a temporary capacity since July 2007. Highly regarded in Athlone, rumours circulating towards the conclusion of last season suggested that he lacked credibility among the club's bigger earners. Whether this had any basis in fact or was simply another malicious Chinese whisper of the type so common in provincial footballing circles is unknown, but few of those players who placed the greatest strain on last season's wage bill will be returning in 2008. Lennon has been contracted for a single season and, given his limited budget, is not in the ideal position to make a favourable impression. Those who know him, however, speak encouragingly of the manager's determination and clarity of purpose; both must come to the fore in 2008.

The Squad

At time of writing, Athlone's squad had yet to be finalised due to the transfer embargo imposed upon the club until recently. The underachieving Paul McTiernan heads a list of prominent departees which also includes Colm Heffernan, Danny O'Leary, Damien Rushe, Luke Hardy, Ryan Casey and Ronan Frawley (the latter four of whom have joined relegated regional rivals Longford Town.) Defender Bryan McCarthy embarked on a series of trials in Britain during the close season and may yet be lured away by Bohemians or Cork City. Nigel Keady and Anthony Hayes are solid acquisitions from Limerick 37 but won't set many pulses racing. New Zealand international Darren Young may return for another season, as may experienced midfielder Davy Byrne. Lennon will hope to coax another fruitful season from the ageing legs of forward Eric Lavine. Promising local youngsters Carmine Russo and Noel McGee will need to come of age fast if Athlone are to threaten in the attacking third this year.

Prospects

Not even the most deludedly optimistic Athlone fan could foresee anything but another season of struggle and strife for the Town. Lennon's squad is well below the standard required to challenge for promotion, both numerically and in terms of quality. However, there should be enough experience in the ranks to ward off the wooden spoon. Athlone have shown a certain appetite for the big occasion in the cup competitions of late and a favourable draw in the early rounds could offer their supporters a big day out. It's their best chance of salvaging some solace from what will be another season of relentless and unrewarding grind at the nation's crossroads.