Published: Wednesday, 3rd February, 2010 5:00pm

Athlone sign two more players as build up to new season continues

ATHLONE Town manager Brendan Place has completed the signings of two further players ahead of the start of the League of Ireland season in early March.

Place, whose relatively new-look Athlone side take on Premier Division champions Bohemians at Dalymount Park on Thursday evening, has added left back Shane O'Connell and striker Gordon Watson to his ever-growing squad.

The acquisitions of O'Connell and Watson bring the number of pre-season signings to twelve.

O'Connell, 19, is expected to battle for the left-back slot with Brendan Turley, who also arrived from Tolka Park, and Eoghan O'Shea, who was signed from Tullamore Town and also has experience at centre-back.

Watson, meanwhile, is a 21-year-old forward who signs from Greystones in the Leinster Senior League.

Speaking about his new signings, Place said: "These are good young players who want to better themselves and succeed in the league. We have to cut our cloth to measure in terms of bringing in players and I'm very happy with the way the squad is shaping up. We are definitely stronger than during the last pre-season."

"We have brought in a bit of experience and hopefully can add a little bit more in the coming weeks, but we have also acquired a few promising young players who we believe can make the squad stronger and have an impact."

Athlone played their first pre-season friendly last weekend and drew 1-1 with an Irish Colleges selection, with trialist Robbie Farrell scoring for the Town.

Farrell has vast experience in the league having previously helped Dundalk, Dublin City and Longford Town to promotion from the First Division. The 32-year-old centre forward spent last season with Drogheda Utd in the Premier Division but had his campaign largely interrupted by injury.

Athlone fielded different teams in each half last weekend but Place is now looking to mould his starting line-up during upcoming games against Bohemians (Thursday) and Dundalk (Sunday). The Town have also arranged a pre-season encounter with Drogheda Utd (away) on February 20.

"We want to test ourselves ... and there's no better way to do that than playing against Premier Division teams," Place said.

Athlone will also play against Greystones (away) on February 16 as part of their ongoing pre-season preparations.

"I think I'll probably sign another few players before the start of the season," Place said.

"We are currently looking at a few players in pre-season training and something might come of that," added the Town boss.

Meanwhile, Davie O'Connor will not be re-signing for the club after spending the majority of last season with the club. The left-sided player is emigrating, while Noel McGee has not yet penned a new deal with the club.

McGee has been training with the club and featured in last weekend's friendly against the Irish Colleges, with Place saying: "If he wants, Noel can be a big player for this club. He knows we want him involved and I'd like to sign him."