Athlone Town aim to continue good recent form in home clash against Limerick
by Kevin O'Neill Updated: Wednesday, 13th July, 2011 5:30pm
FOLLOWING successive league wins, Athlone Town welcome big-spending Limerick to Lissywollen for an eagerly awaited Airtricity League First Division match on Saturday (7.30pm).
With several Limerick natives - many of whom were deemed surplus to requirements at their home town club in recent seasons by Limerick manager Pat Scully - in the Athlone side, Saturday's game could be viewed as something of a grudge match. Athlone's manager, Mike Kerley, also hails from Limerick, and is a former player and manager at the Munster club.
Athlone were beaten 3-0 in Limerick earlier in the season, but that was before Mike Kerley significantly strengthened his squad, and Athlone's recent improvement was further evident when they came from behind last weekend to beat Mervue Utd, and thus move into seventh place in the First Division.
Speaking after the Mervue win, assistant manager Padraig Moran said the atmosphere in the camp is "really positive" at the moment, and that the players are "chomping at the bit" ahead of the Limerick game.
"Limerick is a huge game for us, and particularly for the lads let go by Limerick in the last few years. I know a few of them feel they've something to prove," said Moran.
"Limerick clearly spent big money on their squad and the signings of Denis Behan and Joe Gamble (both from Hartlepool Utd in England's third tier) signal their intent, but that might add extra pressure on them to get promoted. It's hard to know how it will work out for them. But we're focused on ourselves, and six points from the last two games has been very good. Against Mervue, we got a good performance as well as the result," he added.
Moran highlighted the performances against Mervue of Mark Walsh, Conor Kavanagh, Kevin Williamson and Noel McGee as extremely positive, and also praised young winger Eoin Monaghan, who set up both goals for McGee. Mike Kerley's right-hand man also noted the impact of half-time substitute Bobby Tier, who gave ample support to McGee in the second half. Tommy Barrett (work commitments), Niall Scullion (ankle injury), Davy Ryan and Mark Sherlock (both previously booked holidays) missed last weekend's game, but are all expected to be available against Limerick. Gary Higgins - plagued with hamstring problems since the start of the season - has been training over the past couple of weeks and could make the squad. Jason Hughes limped off early against Mervue with a hip injury, but is expected to play against Limerick.
Damien Rushe is also believed to be very close to sealing a return to his home town club. The midfielder, who most recently played for St Peter's, has just returned from honeymoon, and is this week expected to pen a deal until the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Padraig Moran said no further developments have occurred in relation to goalkeeper Micheál Schlingermann's proposed move to Monaghan Utd.
"Micheál is an Athlone Town player and that's the way we want it to stay. We now have good competition for places in most areas, and both Brian Collopy (who has started the last two games in preference to Schlingermann), and Micheál are very good young goalkeepers," stated Moran.
