Athlone Town appoint new manager

Athlone Town have announced Michael O'Connor as their new manager.

Speaking following his appointment, Mr O'Connor said: "I'm absolutely delighted. Athlone are my home-town club - a chance like this would normally only come to someone once, it's come to me twice.

"We need to try and stabilise Athlone Town. The club are in the same frame of mind that I am, that we need to try and plan for the future. There isn't a short-term fix."

Club Chairman Ken Bryan said: "We're delighted obviously that Michael O'Connor has taken up the position of first team manager on a long-term contract.

"We have a lot of hard work to do, and it won't be done in one season. We feel that giving a long-term contract will give the club and the team some much needed stability and a sense of continuity that will help in getting that work done."

A member of one of the country's most famous football families, Michael previously managed the club in the 1990's.

He succeeded in getting Athlone out of the First Division in the 1993/94 season as runners up to champions Sligo Rovers - the last manager to achieve such a feat.

The following season he scored the winning penalty in a promotion/relegation playoff against Finn Harps (as a player/manager) to retain the club's place in the Premier Division.