Athlone's Kerley planning for future
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After two defeats in their previous meetings against local rivals, Longford Town, Athlone Town manager Mike Kerley was delighted to see his side pick up a point in the third El Clasico of the season on Saturday night.
Athlone came from behind to earn a share of the spoils thanks to Noel McGee’s 74th minute equaliser. Kerley believed on the balance of play a draw was the right result. “It was nice to get a point. The two teams at the end of it went for the three points but a draw was a fair enough result. I think Longford were favourites. But the players that we brought in gave us a little bit more quality, in the midfield of the park, especially,” he told extratime.ie.
It was a much changed Athlone team from the last time the two sides met. Kerley brought in a number of new signings in the past two weeks and it was clear on Saturday that these players will definitely make the difference for them. “We signed nine new players in total and the new players that have come in have gelled really quickly. Give them another few weeks and we can compete a lot better,” said the Athlone boss.
Kerley came into the job late in the off-season and hadn’t much time to build a squad that could really compete. He gave many young players their opportunity to shine and although there are new faces at the club the younger lads still have a part to play. He said, “There are big plans for those young players to come along but we needed a little bit more experience. Even in training we lacked that bit of quality and intensity. We develop players through training and matches.”
A number of the players that Kerley brought in had worked with him previously at Limerick. They had dropped down to the junior ranks. He is delighted they are back playing in the League of Ireland. “A lot of those guys from Limerick should really be still with Limerick. Obviously managers have their own choice of players they pick. They are League of Ireland quality players who could get into most sides.”
With a much improved performance behind them and the new players making a big impact what now for Athlone Town? Kerley said, “It’s a case of trying to develop what we have, build on what we done against Longford. See where it takes us. By the end of the season we should see what we need for next season. Then see where we are going as a club.”
Where Athlone finish in the table doesn’t really matter to Kerley, for him it’s all about building for the future. He has high hopes and plans for the club and can’t wait to see them come to fruition. “I don’t think where we finish is important. I think what is important is how the club develops over the next four to five years. There are plans behind the scenes. We brought in a lot of young lads and we don’t have the money to bring in experienced players that might command big fees. We’re bringing in players who want to play. Hopefully in the next few years we will see the work that we are starting to come through on the pitch,” said the Limerick man.
Athlone came from behind to earn a share of the spoils thanks to Noel McGee’s 74th minute equaliser. Kerley believed on the balance of play a draw was the right result. “It was nice to get a point. The two teams at the end of it went for the three points but a draw was a fair enough result. I think Longford were favourites. But the players that we brought in gave us a little bit more quality, in the midfield of the park, especially,” he told extratime.ie.
It was a much changed Athlone team from the last time the two sides met. Kerley brought in a number of new signings in the past two weeks and it was clear on Saturday that these players will definitely make the difference for them. “We signed nine new players in total and the new players that have come in have gelled really quickly. Give them another few weeks and we can compete a lot better,” said the Athlone boss.
Kerley came into the job late in the off-season and hadn’t much time to build a squad that could really compete. He gave many young players their opportunity to shine and although there are new faces at the club the younger lads still have a part to play. He said, “There are big plans for those young players to come along but we needed a little bit more experience. Even in training we lacked that bit of quality and intensity. We develop players through training and matches.”
A number of the players that Kerley brought in had worked with him previously at Limerick. They had dropped down to the junior ranks. He is delighted they are back playing in the League of Ireland. “A lot of those guys from Limerick should really be still with Limerick. Obviously managers have their own choice of players they pick. They are League of Ireland quality players who could get into most sides.”
With a much improved performance behind them and the new players making a big impact what now for Athlone Town? Kerley said, “It’s a case of trying to develop what we have, build on what we done against Longford. See where it takes us. By the end of the season we should see what we need for next season. Then see where we are going as a club.”
Where Athlone finish in the table doesn’t really matter to Kerley, for him it’s all about building for the future. He has high hopes and plans for the club and can’t wait to see them come to fruition. “I don’t think where we finish is important. I think what is important is how the club develops over the next four to five years. There are plans behind the scenes. We brought in a lot of young lads and we don’t have the money to bring in experienced players that might command big fees. We’re bringing in players who want to play. Hopefully in the next few years we will see the work that we are starting to come through on the pitch,” said the Limerick man.
