Roddy Collins appointed as Athlone Town manager

By Kieran Galvin Athlone Town FC has appointed Roddy Collins as the club's first team manager. It will be viewed as a significant coup for Athlone Town who have endured lean times for the last number of years. Collins brings a wealth of management experience to Athlone, having enjoyed success across clubs such as Bohemians, Carlisle United and Shamrock Rovers. During his time with Bohemians, Collins won the Premier Division and FAI Cup double. He takes immediate charge as the club prepares for the 2013 season. Speaking on the appointment, Athlone Town FC Chairman John Hayden stated: "We are delighted to appoint Roddy early in the off-season as it allows him time to get to know the club, the region and importantly, time to build a competitive squad. It's a significant statement of intent by Athlone Town to attract a manager of Roddy's experience and profile." The colourful Dubliner has been out of the game since Monaghan Utd's withdrawal from the league last June due to financial difficulties. But after holding talks with the midlanders last week, Collins has opted to make a return to life in the First Division. An often controversial figure, Collins had been linked with the vacant role at Limerick FC, but after being given a tour of both Athlone Town's facilities and the nearby Athlone IT campus, he has agreed to a stint at Lissywollen. Following the departure of Mike Kerley, Padraig Moran was appointed as interim Athlone Town manager for the last seven matches of the 2012 season. Moran was a strong contender to take over on a full-time basis for next season, but the Athlone Town Board have sprung something of a surprise by option for Collins. The former Bohs boss will surely have his sights set on launching a serious bid for promotion with Athlone next season - something the club has failed to do for several seasons.