McGee set to return in boost for Athlone's attacking options
ATHLONE Town manager Mike Kerley has confirmed striker Noel McGee is on the brink of returning to his former club. McGee, 23, has been playing with local junior side St Peter's, but with their season coming to a close tomorrow evening (Thursday), will sign for Athlone when the League of Ireland transfer window re-opens on June 1. The Athlone native, from Chapel Street, made his Athlone first-team debut in 2006 (aged 16), and went on to make over 100 appearances for the Town, before leaving the club last May amidst rumours of a fall-out with then-manager Brendan Place. During the previous season (2009), McGee top-scored for Athlone with a commendable 12 goals, and it's hoped his attacking prowess will give Athlone a boost. So far this season, Athlone have struggled to find the net, scoring just four times in the opening ten league matches. McGee has scored plenty of goals while at St Peter's, but has been unable to help the Newtowncarberry outfit to claim any silverware this season. Athlone manager Mike Kerley drafted McGee into training a couple of weeks ago, and has been impressed to date. Kerley admitted McGee was one of his very first transfer targets when initially appointed Athlone manager, but McGee decided to stay with St Peter's at the time. "I knew Noel well from my time as Limerick manager, and he was someone I had in mind immediately (when appointed manager), but at that time Noel was committed to spending the whole season with St Peter's, and that was fair enough. St Peter's season is almost over now, and Noel has been training with us for the past couple of weeks, and is working extremely hard. It looks like we'll sign him in June, and we're looking at giving him a possible debut against Cork City on June 10," said Kerley. Even though McGee is expected to sign before Athlone's FAI Senior Cup tie against Shamrock Rovers (w/e June 5), a player must be registered 14 days before a cup appearance, thus ruling him out of the Tallaght Stadium clash. Kerley believes McGee's experience will be key attributes to improving Athlone's fortunes in front of goal, and said McGee also has a natural eye for goal. Another former Athlone player, now also with St Peter's, Kevin Dunne, has also trained with Athlone in recent weeks, and is a possible acquisition in June. The Town manager, who watched his side lose 3-0 to Monaghan Utd last weekend, is determined to strengthen his squad in June. At present, Kerley has been forced to rely heavily on a number of youth-team players, and although they've coped admirably thus far, his squad will become further stretched in the coming weeks, with many players sitting their Leaving Cert and college exams. "We're talking to quite a few players at the minute, and hopefully we'll get them in June," Kerley said. It's believed Kerley is keen to add some junior league players from Limerick to his youthful panel. Athlone will try to halt a two-game losing sequence when they entertain Waterford Utd at Lissywoollen on Saturday evening (7.30pm). Niall Scullion serves the final game of a two-match suspension, while Kevin Williamson is doubtful due to work commitments. Paul Danaher makes a welcome return to defence after a one-game ban, but Brendan Daly (back) and Gary Higgins (hamstring) are expected to miss out again.