Town search for new 'keeper as Schlingermann leaves
by Kevin O'Neill Updated: Wednesday, 21st December, 2011 9:30am
ATHLONE Town hope to soften the blow of losing regular goalkeeper Micheál Schlingermann by making several new signings in the coming weeks.
It emerged over the weekend that Schlingermann, who was Athlone's first-choice netminder for the bulk of the last two seasons, has agreed to join newly promoted Premier Division outfit Monaghan Utd.
Schlingermann was strongly linked with a move to Monaghan during the July transfer window, but remained with Athlone until the end of last season. However, it now appears the Kiltimagh native has finally opted to join Roddy Collins' Gortakeegan-based side.
Athlone assistant manager, Padraig Moran, said the club will now be seeking to sign a new goalkeeper in the coming weeks.
"I spoke to Micheál Schlingermann last week and he indicated he was speaking to Monaghan," said Moran.
"He (Schlingermann) hasn't been in touch to tell us officially, that he's signed for Monaghan, but I spoke to a couple of people and it appears it's done. We'll be looking for a new 'keeper straight away," added Moran.
It appears unlikely that Brian Collopy, who provided back-up to Schlingermann for a period last season, will be retained, but efforts to persuade former Town goalkeeper Chris Bennion to return to the club have also failed.
Padraig Moran confirmed that manager Mike Kerley has been in contact with former Town defender Brian McCarthy, and that the towering defender, who spent last season with promotion contenders Limerick, "seems interested" in returning to Lissywollen. However, Moran stressed no concrete offer has yet been made to McCarthy, or any other players. Moran said he anticipates up to 12 of last season's squad to remain at the club for the 2012 campaign, including last season's top-scorer, Noel McGee.
"We spoke to Noel and he seems happy we're (Kerley and Moran) back in charge, and seems happy to sign."
Moran said he suspects the first-team playing squad to be "75 per cent local" for next season, and that Kerley will sign "a few players" from outside the local region.
Moran also said he expects Nenagh native Mark Walshe to turn down an opportunity to join Limerick and remain with Athlone, while Tommy Barrett, Paul Danaher and Jason Hughes - all from Limerick - are also expected to stay on. The Town assistant boss also believes Kevin Williamson, last season's captain, will also stay with Athlone.
"There has been speculation linking Kevin with Longford, but I don't know how concrete that is. I've spoken to Kevin and I think he's happy to stay with us," said Moran.
Locals such as Stephen Relihan, Damien Rushe and Mark Sherlock also seem certain to be retained.
Athlone have also been strongly linked with moves for local duo, Garvan Broughall and Neil Harney - released at the end of last season by Limerick and St Pat's respectively - and it's believed that moves to attract them back to Lissywollen could occur in the next few days.
Athlone will be looking to start finalising their playing squad over the coming weeks, with pre-season training pencilled in for mid-January, and the start of the Airtricity League season coming in March.
