Athlone searching for new manager as McHale departs

Liam McHale has departed his position as manager of Athlone GAA's senior football team.

The former Mayo midfield star managed the club's senior team for the past two years, having been appointed towards the end of 2019.

A spokesperson for Athlone GAA confirmed this weekend that McHale and the club have parted company.

In McHale's first year in charge (2020), Athlone reached the Westmeath SFC semi-finals in which they were narrowly defeated by Tyrrellspass.

Last year, Athlone failed to qualify from the group stages. A youthful Athlone side produced a battling performance when drawing with local rivals Garrycastle in their opening game of the 2021 championship. But while Garrycastle went on to reach the county final (and came extremely close to lifting the Flanagan Cup), Athlone's only win in the group stages came against Tyrrellspass.

Athlone have lost both of their ACFL Division 2 games this season against Tyrrellspass (1-10 to 0-7) and Maryland (1-10 to 0-10).

McHale served as coach alongside manager Kevin McStay with the St Brigid's team which won the All-Ireland senior club title in 2013. A highly regarded coach, the Ballina man was also part of McStay's management team with Roscommon.

During his playing career with Mayo, McHale played in four All-Ireland finals - 1989, 1996 (including a replay in which he was controversially sent off against Meath) and 1997.

Despite producing several talented players at underage level in recent years, Athlone have struggled to turn this promise into senior progress. And they have also found it difficult to retain key players when they move into the adult ranks.

In the 2022 championship, Athlone will compete in Section B alongside Moate All Whites, Rosemount, Tyrrellspass, Killucan and 2021 intermediate champions Tang. Only two of those six teams will advance to the knockout stages, while four teams will progress from Section A.

It remains to be seen whether Athlone opt for another outside manager to replace McHale or if they look to appoint an insider. McHale's management team for this year included Fergal Murray and Eoin Jordan.

Athlone still head the Westmeath SFC roll of honour and the club attracts large numbers of players at underage level, but progress at senior level has proved very elusive in recent times.

The club’s last Flanagan Cup success was in 1998 and the Shannonsiders’ last senior county final appearance was in 2003.