The dawning of a new League of Ireland First Division season now imminent, Athlone Town head coach, Adrian Carberry, harbours thoughts of attaining a play-off berth come the campaign’s conclusion as the Lissywollen based club aspire for a positive opening to competitive action on Friday night when they travel to the capital for a fixture with UCD (ko, 7.45pm ).
Now in his second season at the head coach helm, the former Athlone Town player has assembled a vast first team playing squad for the league campaign to come and aims to move his charges away from the foot of the division, a position to which the club has become too accustomed in recent times.
“We have signed 17 players in the off season and have been back in training since February 1, a six weeks process with the focus now firmly on our opening league game on Friday night.
“For too long Athlone Town have been associated with perennially finishing towards the bottom of the division but now is the time to change that mindset of acceptability. This club must be aiming to finish in the play-off position this season if not higher, we must have a positive goal amongst the players and management,” Adrian asserted.
While no wins were achieved in recent pre-season contests, Adrian and his coaching staff used the games to align playing formations for the season to come, bedding in the new signings with those that remain from the previous campaign.
“The all important business starts on Friday night and we used the pre-season to work on formations and in game adaptability as certain playing situations arise. The players are dedicated, technically of a high standard and continue to give of their all during each training session,” Adrian added.
Upon his appointment, a prerequisite of Adrian’s was to have the first team training in one base - at the club’s home ground at Lissywollen.
“To have all the playing squad training at the one location is vital, particularly for engendering team spirit. To train on the pitch where we will be playing our home games should be of an advantage as the season progresses.
“It also offers hope and encouragement for the club’s underage teams who also train at Lissywollen. When they see the first team training in Athlone, they too can one day dream of putting on the famous blue and black jersey in the future and that is the goal for all involved with the club, to nurture and promote home grown talent,” Adrian enthused.
Assessing the challenges which await, Adrian noted that the division will be vastly competitive with Galway United, Cork and Shelbourne, certain to provide stern opposition during the Town’s season.
“Yes, we have strengthened but so to have all the clubs involved. To achieve our season starting goal we have to prove that we can compete and overcome the challenges that are certain to present as our playing journey commences. Hopefully, we can taste success on a regular occurrence and look towards a positive future for the club,” Adrian concluded.
