2023 Season Preview: Athlone Town

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Manager: Dermot Lennon

Stadium: Athlone Town Stadium

Players In: N/A.

Players Out: Thomas Oluwa (Waterford), Andy Spain (Treaty United) Jarlath Jones (Drogheda United), Sami Clarke.

Extratime.ie Key Man: Adam Lennon

 The son of manager Dermot, Adam Lennon has established himself as one of the most exciting young attacking talents in the League of Ireland First Division.

Previously of UCD, Lennon returned to Athlone in July and has become an intrinsic part of their front line over the previous months.

And with Thomas Oluwa moving on to pastures new at Waterford, Lennon will be hoping that he can maintain his supply line for whoever takes Oluwa’s place in the team.

If the 20-year-old can maintain his level of form shown towards the end of last season, he could be onto a winner this term.

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Aaron Connolly



Previously of Shelbourne, Aaron Connolly will also be looking to build on his positive end to last season at the Athlone Town Stadium.

Also 20, the central midfielder made 16 starts for Athlone last season – and grew into his role at the club as the season wore on.

He also made four appearances off the bench and scored twice for the club – with one of those coming in a shock win over First Division champions Cork City at the end of last term.

But after catching the eye in 2022, Connolly’s main aim will be to push on and maintain his current level of performance with the Co. Westmeath outfit.

What to expect this season:

Once again, Athlone will be coming into the First Division campaign as rank outsiders to reach a play-off position.



Athlone have failed to contend for promotion since they went up to the top-flight in 2014, and little suggests that will change any time soon.

But they do appear to be building a young core that could bring success to the club in the coming years.

Granted, it does seem unlikely that they will be able to get promoted this year, but they will be among a host of sides attempting to reach the play-offs.

The smart money would be on them to prop up the table again with Kerry.

But boss Lennon showed his side can defy the odds last season with some big results towards the end of last season – and why can’t they do it again?

First up: Away to Longford Town, February 18th, 7.30pm. 

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