The tenure of Martin Russell as first team manager of Athlone Town was brief, a mere eight games completed in the 2022 season when the club announced a parting of the ways.
It happened with the Town rooted to the foot of the table with just a single point to their credit. A defeat to Longford Town in the Midlands derby seemed to be the end for Russell as his departure was confirmed shortly afterwards. It leaves Athlone looking yet again for a manager with Dermot Lennon currently acting in a caretaker capacity.
After local man Adrian Carberry departed towards the end of last season, Paul Doolin took over first team affairs. It was hoped and expected that the Dubliner would continue as boss in 2022 but it did not materialise. Instead, the club put their fate in another experienced campaigner as Russell took charge.
While not recently involved at this level, the CV of Russell made impressive reading. After a playing career both in Ireland and England, a first step into management saw him join St Patricks Athletic as assistant manager. Further success followed as manager at UCD and Limerick. Russell arrived in Athlone in November 2021 but spent less than six months in the hot seat.
Russell’s first task was to assemble a squad for the new campaign. New signings were slow to follow with the manager obviously feeling that a fresh start was needed. Just four players were retained but due to injuries and suspension just one has featured on a regular basis.
Goalkeeper Micheal Schlingermann was also appointed captain but like his team mates has struggled. The Town defence had not kept a clean sheet during the first series of games and had the worst defensive record in both divisions.
The season kicked off with a home game against relegated Waterford FC. The visitors were intent on making a quick return to the top flight and got off to a flying start. A five two win was recorded and any pre-season optimism in the home ranks diminished.
The next game against Treaty United was postponed with a further away outing following. Wexford FC were the opposition and edged out the Town, who played the second half with ten men following the dismissal of Cian Kelly. An odd number of teams meant a spare weekend and Athlone’s next game was at home to Cobh. A first win of the season looked possible as the hosts lead going into the closing stages. However, a late collapse saw Ramblers return home instead with full points.
Another home game against high flying Galway United gave little hope of optimism but a spirited Town display fell just short of yielding a share of the spoils. A heavy defeat followed in Cork but the first day in April finally saw Athlone off the mark. Thomas Oluwa on target in a draw with Bray. It proved to be a false dawn as two losses followed in Limerick and Longford. Defeat to the latter brought Russell’s reign to an end.
Lennon seeking first win as caretaker manager
Athlone Town Director of Football, Dermot Lennon, who has stepped into the vacancy created by Russell’s departure, is seeking his first win of his interim managerial reign.
A late concession at home to Treaty United cost the Lissywollen club a vital victory in his opening game at the managerial helm. Three points were almost secured when Success Edogun put Athlone ahead with eight minutes remaining, but with time almost up, Stephen Christopher levelled for the visitors to dampen the spirits of the Town supporters.
Meanwhile, on Monday night, Athlone journeyed south to play Cobh Ramblers but departed St Colman’s Park, tasting their eighth defeat of the league season.
Naming an unchanged team, the visitors trailed at half time but were level within a minute of the restart through Glen McAuley. Parity was not restored for a sustained period of the contest as Cobh swiftly regained the lead from the penalty spot and when the home team added a third goal on the hour mark, Athlone players appeared deflated.
However, a late rally resulting in the conversion of a penalty from Stephen Kenny, gave cause for optimism that a draw could be achieved from the fixture but it wasn’t to be as the shrill fo the final whistle soon sounded, Athlone venturing back to the Midlands with two points garnered from their opening ten league games.
