Athlone Town boss vows to build on progress made next season
By Kevin O'Neill
Athlone Town manager Sean O’Connor has confirmed his determination to further improve the club’s fortunes after their 2026 League of Ireland First Division campaign came to a disappointing end last Friday night.
Despite a terrific run of form since O’Connor’s appointment as manager in mid-July, Athlone suffered a 1-0 defeat against midlands’ rivals Longford Town in a winner-takes-all encounter at Bishopsgate.
The result propelled Longford into the promotion play-offs, but consigned Athlone to yet another campaign in the second tier.
For O’Connor, the disappointing final outcome of the season changes nothing in terms of his commitment to Athlone, with the former St Patrick’s Athletic coach speaking in determined fashion about his ambition to push the team forward in 2027.
To this end, O’Connor told the Westmeath Independent that he has already started the process of speaking to players from his current squad about next season, and that he has also spoken to some out-of-contract players about the possibility of joining the cause.
“Last Friday was challenging and obviously a disappointment for everyone associated with the club. It was a tough game and a difficult way to end the season, but I think the players have been outstanding in recent months. They took on everything we asked of them, as a coaching team, and we just fell short in the end,” O’Connor said.
“But I know I will learn from that disappointment. It’s part of football. Now the challenge is building on our progress in recent months and build a team that doesn’t have to rely on other results to get in the play-offs. I am committed to the club and determined to kick on. I would love the expectation levels to go up around the town, and for people to see we have a competitive team able to challenge. That’s my job now, to make sure we are ready when next season comes around,” he added.
In recent weeks, Athlone sorely missed the midfield presence of Sean Brennan, who was in outstanding form since his mid-season loan move from Bray Wanderers. O’Connor confirmed he would love to keep Brennan at the club, along with teenage attacker Will Smith, who has also been to the fore recently.
The Town boss said that he should be in a position in the next couple of weeks to announce whether some of the current squad will remain or leave the club, and possibly some new signings for 2027.
“I would love to keep the majority of the players but it’s important we speak to everybody and listen to what their individual circumstances will be next year,” he said.
“I will sit down with the players and discuss it, and let them know what our schedule will be like next season, and then we can make decisions from there,” he added.
As a result of their victory against Athlone, Longford Town face UCD in the play-off semi-finals (over two legs), with Bray Wanderers up against Kerry FC.