Five players join Athlone Town

A sense of optimism now surrounds the midlands, as Athlone Town announce five new signings. Dave Ryan, Wayne Colbert and Jason Hughes all return to the club following spells in Limerick with junior sides. Mark Sherlock is also rejoining the club for a second spell, while youngster Conor Kavanagh is the only new face to the Town faithful.

Mike Kerley will appreciate that the signings will carry through a certain sense of nostalgia as he has worked with three of the newcomers before in his previous spell at Limerick three years ago.

Jason Hughes is a very promising young star who enjoyed two years at Limerick making quite a few appearances under the reign of Mike Kerley and it is surely a big bonus for the club that he has been snapped up to wear the traditional black and blue stripes. Hughes plays his best football in the middle of the park, but is highly versatile and has often played at right back or on the wing. During his loan spell to Athlone from Limerick, he even played in the slot behind the striker, scoring against his parent club last season in a three-two defeat. Hughes is capped at under-19 level and is a highly skilful and well motivated player. Hughes spent last season at local side Janesboro F.C.

Dave Ryan has made the headlines in recent weeks as he scored for Pike Rovers in their defeat by Sligo Rovers in the FAI Cup. Ryan, who is small in size, has trickery at his disposal and can play equally as well on the left wing and up front as a striker. Ryan made several appearances for Limerick also, breaking into the starting eleven for the majority of the 2008 season under the management of Kerley. Ryan also played for Athlone last year.

A physically strong and highly intelligent footballer; Wayne Colbert is the ideal ball player and has no reservations about flying into challenges to help his side’s cause. Colbert, who has played at this level for Limerick, Shamrock Rovers and most recently, Athlone Town, plays as a central midfielder, despite being signed as a striker by Pat Scully for Shamrock Rovers in 2006. His defensive approach to the game is his strength, while he also possesses the footballing brain to seek out a killer through ball. Colbert also featured in his sides victory over St. Michaels in the FAI Junior Cup at Turners Cross, playing a key role.

Conor Kavanagh, while unknown to most up around the midlands, is well thought of and highly regarded in footballing circles around Limerick. Kavanagh, who returned from England after a failed attempt with Championship side Reading, is ready to make his mark on the Airtricity League. Like his fellow signings, Kavanagh spent last season with the successful Pike Rovers side who won the FAI Junior Cup. Kavanagh plays at left back, but is also prone to fill in at centre midfield, has a fantastic passing range, is the footballing type; that will suit the Athlone Town Stadium pitch very well – a fine acquisition.

Mark Sherlock returns for his second spell at the club. His main selling point is his goals per game ration at junior level, boasting 100 plus goals from only 120 appearances from local side St. Peters F.C. Surely his firepower will bag Athlone a few much needed goals.

Promising times for Athlone Town, as a fine mixture of determined youth and calm experience make their way to Lisseywoolen to line out for Mike Kerley. Stay tuned to extratime.ie to track their progress as the season unfolds.