Published: Wednesday, 24th February, 2010 5:00pm

McCarthy returns as Athlone prepare to face Wanderers

ATHLONE Town's 2010 season gets underway tomorrow evening (Thursday) when they play Bray Wanderers in opening round of the Leinster Senior Cup at the Carlisle Grounds (kick-off: 7.45pm).

And the Town's build-up to their first competitive match of the campaign has been boosted by the news that defender Brian McCarthy has returned to the club after spells with Bohemians and Longford Town.

To add to McCarthy's decision to return to Lissywoollen, striker Noel McGee has also ended speculation about his future by penning a new deal for the upcoming season.

Manager Brendan Place has also re-signed his younger brother, Stephen Place, and snapped up midfielder Gareth Kenna from Leinster Senior League outfit Dublin Bus.

Athlone warmed up for Thursday's game against Bray with an encouraging 1-1 against Premier Division Drogheda Utd at United Park last Saturday. Substitute Shane Dolan got Athlone's goal against Drogheda.

Place is now unlikely to add any further players to his squad ahead of the beginning of the First Division in early March.

Speaking ahead of Thursday's Leinster Senior Cup game, Place said: "It's great to bring Brian McCarthy back to the club. He has great presence and adds balance to the defence.

Brian also has good experience for a young player and played a part in Cobh Ramblers getting promoted while there on loan from Bohemians a few years ago. Brian doesn't want to stand still either and always wants to improve, and I very much like that aspect of his attitude."

Meanwhile, Noel McGee said he's very pleased to sign another contract with Athlone.

"I'm delighted to get the contract signed and look forward to building on last season. I hope to work hard and score plenty more goals for Athlone Town, and look forward to the season getting started in March," said McGee.

Following tomorrow evening's game against Bray Wanderers - a tie which sees Athlone come up against two former players in Andrei Georgescu and David Tyrrell - Athlone continue their pre-season build-up with matches against Edenderry Town on Friday (Fr Paul Park, Edenderry, 7.30pm) and Tullamore Town on Sunday (Leah Victoria Park, 2.30pm).

ADSL to play Real Madrid

Meanwhile, a mouthwatering clash against Spanish giants Real Madrid will be the undoubted highlight for the Athlone & District Schoolboy League when they travel to France in June.

The league's U-13 Kennedy Cup squad will take on the might of Madrid at a prestigious international tournament which takes place in Onet le Chateau in southern France from June 11-13. Also among the participating clubs at the tournament will be the likes of Bordeaux, Marseille, St Etienne, Toulouse, and a host of top German clubs.

The Athlone squad will be the only Irish team to take part in the competition and it will provide ideal preparation ahead of the 2010 Kennedy Cup in Limerick in later June.

Chairman of the ADSL, Padraig Quinn, said: "The ADSL will be in exalted company as the only Irish team in the eight-team tournament. It will be an honour to take our place in the tournament alongside one of the most successful club in the world.This tournament will be the trip of a lifetime and a wonderful experience for our Kennedy Cup squad."

"This is something to really look forward to and a great coup for the league," added Mr Quinn.

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