Athlone Town to host under-17 trials this Sunday

Athlone Town FC is to host open trials for its Under 17 team this weekend at the Athlone Town Stadium in Lissywollen. The club is planning to field a team once again this year in the Dublin and District Schoolboy League. The trials will be overseen by the current senior management team at the club. An appointment of a new Under 17 team manager is imminent. The club is encouraging players from across the midlands, aged 15 and 16, and who are eligible for Under 17 football to attend the trials. Manager Brendan Place said: "I have been hugely impressed at the young footballing talent in this region and as a club Athlone Town FC has given players like Robbie Benson, Tom O'Halloran, Kevin Dunne and Kevin Horan a chance to experience first-team League of Ireland football this season." "We are aiming to develop a strong underage structure and fielding, as a first step, the Under 17 team sits well with our Under 20 team which plays in the League of Ireland Under 20 Championship." He continued: "All too often young footballers lament the lack of opportunities to play top class football in this region. Athlone Town's Under 17 team plays at a hugely competitive level in the DDSL and our Under 20 team plays at the top level available to players at that age. This combined with the club's policy of introducing young players to the first team at an early age means there have never been greater opportunities for committed and talented young players to develop their talent in Athlone." The trials take place at 12 noon on Sunday next. All are welcome.