Athlones own is an alltime irish great

INTERESTING reading for League of Ireland soccer fans last weekend when the respected journalist Liam Mackey compiled his list of the League’s best ever 25 players - and listed at Number 20 was Athlone native Turlough O’Connor.

O’Connor played for Athlone Town, as well with Fulham and Bohemians, and later managed the Town to two League of Ireland title wins. O’Connor is originally from Sarsfield Square in Athlone and now resides in Dublin.

There were a number of other links to Athlone on the list, with former Town players Brendan Bradley from Donegal and Dubliner Johnny Fullam also making the list. Former Athlone manager Mick Leech came in at Number 5 on Mackey’s list. Paul Osam, who now works as an FAI soccer development officer in Westmeath, was also on the list. Brendan Bradley was at Numbner 1 on the list. He played for Athlone in the late seventies but is best remembered in the League for a scintillating goalscoring career with Finn Harps. Bradley currently leads the League’s all-time goalscoring charts.

Let us know in the comments section if any other Athlone Town players of the past should have made the list..