Athlone Town make spree of signings for 2021 season
The Athlone Town squad is taking shape for next season with a number of signings have been completed in recent days.
Mullingar native Tumelo Tlou has become the latest player to re-sign for the 2021 season, with this welcome boost coming after confirmation of the signing of Derek Daly from Bray Wanderers.
Daly (23), who can operate as a full-back or left winger, has played for Chesterfield and was part of the Waterford team that won the First Division title in 2017. He joined Bray Wanderers in 2018 and featured regularly for the Seagulls during the 2020 season.
Athlone recently confirmed the capture of Shane Barnes and Stephen Meaney for the 2021 season.
A 23-year-old striker, Barnes joins Athlone from Cabinteely. Barnes scored five league goals for Cabinteely during an impressive first half of the season, but the south Dublin side ultimately missed out on the First Division play-offs.
Also linking up with Adrian Carberry's squad is former Drogheda Utd winger Stephen Meaney. Having scored 15 goals for Drogheda in just under 50 appearances, Meaney (22) left the Louth club just before the end of last season.
Aidan Friel has returned to Athlone from Shelbourne, with the right-back having had a spell with the club in 2015. He then went on to play for Wexford, Longford Town, Finn Harps and, most recently, Shelbourne.
Athlone have also signed midfielders Brandon McCann (21) from Bray Wanderers and Daniel McKenna.
Having played with Wolves at underage level, McKenna (20) went on loan to a couple of clubs including Bray Wanderers. He has represented Ireland at all levels up to U-19.
The new arrivals follow a number of recent signings, including goalkeeper Micheál Schlingermann, who has returned to the club from Galway United. The Mayo native previously played for the Town back in 2010 and 2011.
David Brookes from Baylin, Offaly pair Scott Delaney and Jack Reynolds, and Ballinasloe duo Jordan Carr and Oisin Duffy have all re-signed for the 2021 season.
On the downside, talented striker Ronan Manning has departed Athlone and moved back to Galway United.
Manning was voted Athlone Town's player of the season for 2020.
In the 2020 Airtricity League First Division campaign, Athlone finished second from bottom, just ahead of basement side Wexford on goal difference.
Athlone reached the last four of the 2020 FAI Cup with a sensational quarter-final win over Shelbourne, but then crashed to a record-breaking 11-0 defeat to Dundalk in their semi-final.
Meanwhile, promising Athlone youngster Adam Lennon is moving to UCD on a scholarship.
Adam joined Athlone at U-15 level and was part of the team that won the inaugural league title at that age grade. A son of former Athlone manager Dermot Lennon, Adam played for the club at U-17 and U-19 level, before quickly being called into the senior ranks.