Dylan Hand departs Longford Town to join rivals Athlone

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Athlone Town have swooped in to sign defender Dylan Hand from their neighbours Longford Town ahead of the 2024 campaign.

Hand had previously committed to next year at the Red and Black before a change of heart saw him cross the midlands divide once again.

The former Dundalk and Warrenpoint Town defender previously lined out with the Co Westmeath side in 2021 having helped Longford Town secure promotion in 2020.

He returned to Longford midway through the 2023 season and soon established himself as a key player in Stephen Henderson’s side.

The Athboy native, 24, played 14 times for De Town and scored twice. 

His last strike came in a 2-2 home draw against Bray Wanderers in his penultimate game of the season.

But he has opted to return to Athlone - and he will be joined at the club by former Wolves trainee Daniel McKenna.

McKenna spent the second half of 2023 with Dario Castelo’s side having also lined out for the Town in 2021 alongside Hand.

The pair then moved to Warrenpoint Town together in January 2022 and stayed there until June 2023.



And during his most recent half-season with Athlone, the Dubliner played 15 times for the club in the league. 

McKenna also featured in Athlone’s two play-off games against Waterford at the end of the season.

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