Coffey is back at the athlone helm

TOM Coffey has returned for a second spell in charge of Athlone GAA’s senior football team.

The Athlone manager will be joined by a backroom team of Gordon Brett, Emmet Collins and Denis O’Sullivan.

Coffey, who recently parted ways with Tyrrellsspass, guided Rhode to Offaly senior title success and to Leinster club final appearances in 2008 and 2010.

The Offaly native managed Athlone in the 2012 Westmeath SFC when the town club missed out on a quarter-final place after losing their final group game against Mullingar Shamrocks.

He previously served as Offaly senior football manager on an interim basis for a short spell in 2009, after Richie Connor resigned from the post.

Coffey’s return to Athlone will come as a surprise to many after Athlone’s relegation to the intermediate championship.