Keeping Will Smith is high on Athlone manager's agenda

Athlone Town FC manager Sean O'Connor has said one of his priorities in the off-season is to ensure exciting young talent Will Smith remains at the club.

Despite Athlone missing out on a First Division play-off spot - after last Friday's final-day defeat against Longford Town (see tomorrow's Westmeath Independent for match report) - O'Connor is already looking to the 2027 League of Ireland campaign.

And he is hopeful that Smith, a real star since O'Connor's arrival in July, will continue his development with Athlone.

“Will has been brilliant the last few months,” O'Connor told the Westmeath Independent.

“I know he wasn't playing much before I came in, but he has responded really well and been a big positive. Ideally, I want to keep the majority of the squad but everyone's situation is different. Will is in college in Maynooth but I will sit down with the players to assess their situations and let them know our demands and schedule for next season,” he added.

O'Connor further added that he is 'very interested' in turning Sean Brennan's loan from Bray Wanderers into a permanent transfer.

For more from O'Connor regarding his own future and plans for next season, read the print edition of the Westmeath Independent, which is out tomorrow morning (Wednesday).