2024 Season Preview: Athlone Town

Athlone Town goalkeeper Enda Minogue

Athlone Town goalkeeper Enda Minogue Credit: Thomas Flinkow (ETPhotos)

Manager: Dario Castelo

Stadium: Athlone Town Stadium

Players In:Dylan Hand (Longford Town), Ruben Candal, Peter McGregor, Jarlath Jones (Athlone Town), Dean Ebbe (Manchester 62), Gabriel Padilla, Roscoe Rubinstein, Carl Mujaguzi (BK Olympic), Armardo Oakley (Guelph United).

Players Out:Frantz Pierrot (Drogheda United), Patrick Hickey (Galway United), Jack Kavanagh (Kerry), Haji Abdikadir (UD Maracena), Sultan Adenekan (Maynooth University Town), Josh McGlone (Bray Wanderers), Valerii Dolia (Kerry).

extratime.com Key Man: Dylan Hand

Joining from local rivals Longford Town - despite being announced as a re-signing by the Red and Black at one point - Dylan Hand is set to play a key role for Athlone.

In fact, the Athboy native has played for the Co Westmeath side before moving to Warrenpoint Town in the Irish League in 2022.

Now 24, the former Chesterfield youth prospect has over 100 senior games under his belt across spells with Dundalk, Longford, Athlone Town and Warrenpoint.

But his return to Athlone will provide an often leaky defence with an experienced League of Ireland figurehead - and that could prove vital for boss Dario Castelo.

extratime.com One to Watch: Enda Minogue



Previously on the books Bray Wanderers, Enda Minogue has quickly established himself as one of the most promising goalkeepers in the League of Ireland in recent years.

The 22-year-old has already claimed a clean sheet this season having played every minute of Athlone’s Leinster Senior Cup campaign, - which backs up his tally of six from last season.

He also played 34 times in all competitions for Castelo’s men in 2023 - which was his breakthrough campaign in the League of Ireland ranks as a first-choice keeper.

And if he continues his upward career trajectory this year, it would be no surprise to hear of some top-flight clubs interested in his services. 

What to expect this season:

After enjoying a superb campaign last term, there is a degree of expectation that surrounds Athlone Town - unlike previous years.



The Co Westmeath men reached the First Division play-offs by virtue of a fifth-placed league finish, helped in no small part by Frantz Pierrot’s impressive 20-goal league haul.

The Haitian also netted twice in the play-off loss over two legs against Waterford - but he has since left for Drogheda United.

That means the club must deal with his exit - and carry out the task of replacing his goals.

That will be no mean feat, and the Town will be hoping that their link-up with US-based academy Valeo FC will help them fill that void. 

The partnership has seen players like Pierrot and Jamar Campion-Hinds move to Co Westmeath from across the Atlantic.

But most important is the arrival of players with previous League of Ireland experience in Hand, Jarlath Jones and Dean Ebbe.

The trio - all of whom have played for the club before - will likely provide some steel to the Town’s spine, with the likes of Minogue and Aaron Connolly also set to impress.

As mentioned, Athlone will have to deal with a newfound expectation surrounding them this season - and how they react to that remains to be seen.

But should they reach the top-five in the First Division again and secure a play-off spot, it would be a very successful season for those in Blue and Black.

First Game:Home to Wexford, February 16th, Athlone Town Stadium (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

 

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