Athlone trio called up to Leinster youths squad

A trio of promising players from Athlone Town's successful youth team have been called into the Leinster FA Youth squad for next week's trip to Westphalia in Germany. Goalkeeper Garret Higgins (17), midfielder Eoin Monaghan (17) and defender Joe Woods (18) have all been included in the squad, adding further to what's already been a notably triumphant year for the Town's youth set-up. Athlone's under-17s recently claimed a league and cup double in the DDSL, while nine of the youth team squad have also sampled first-team action with Athlone Town in the Airtricity First Division this season. The bi-annual visit of the Leinster FA to Westphalia has become one of the highlights of the Leinster football calendar, and the inclusion of the Athlone trio (although Monaghan has had to withdraw due to prior commitments), comes as a further fillip to Athlone's healthy youth set-up. The squad leaves for Germany next Monday and will spend a week there, and Athlone Town youth team manager Mickey Collins (who also played for Leinster in Westphalia during the 90s) feels the call-ups are fully deserved. "The three lads have done very well since coming to Athlone Town and they're looking forward to the couple of games in Westphalia. Joe Woods has stepped up to the first-team and done very well. Mike Kerley spotted something in Joe, and he's taken his chance with the first-team. Eoin Monaghan and Garret Higgins came to us from St Francis halfway through the season, and have done great. Eoin has a great engine and works tirelessly in midfield, while Garret is a very big young lad and has a great chance in the game," said Collins. Defender Joe Woods, from Ballinasloe, was a regular fixture in Athlone's first-team during the opening half of the First Division season, but has recently taken a well-merited break from action due to the Leaving Cert. Garrycastle native Monaghan made his first-team debut in late May against Finn Harps, and started the next couple of matches. He was also part of the squad for last Saturday's drawn game against Longford Town, while Ballymahon native Higgins (who has also represented Longford at minor Gaelic football) has been tipped by many for a bright future in the game. Meanwhile, St Peter's FC have announced former senior team manager John Tiernan as the club's first Director of Underage Football. Tiernan managed St Peter's senior team for the second half of last season and said: "The aim of this position is to ensure that a solid structure is put in place for the underage footballers of the club."