Athlone Town opt to release Onwubiko

Brendan Place has decided to release right winger Emeka Onwubiko from his Athlone Town contract. The 19-year-old former Bray Wanderers attacker began the season in exciting fashion for Athlone and netted five times in the opening eight games, including a brace against neighbours Longford Town in the League Cup. However, Onwubiko had failed to register a goal in the last couple of months and it was generally felt his overall performances were becoming more and more erratic. No doubt a potential match winner on his day at First Division level, Onwubiko was withdrawn from the action after just 37 minutes of last Friday"s home defeat to Limerick. And manager Brendan Place confirmed afterwards that Onwubiko has no future at the club. 'Emeka is gone from the club, I"ve decided to let him go,' said Place. 'Emeka found it difficult to commit to training at weekends, and I feel I did all I could to get the best of him. I think it"s the correct decision to part company,' added the manager. Onwubiko was actually Place"s first new signing as Athlone manager after his release from Bray Wanderers at the end of last season. Place credited new signing Gary Murphy for a good debut against Limerick and also confirmed that former Town "keeper Tadgh Murphy has rejoined the club. Tadgh Murphy had been playing with Leinster Senior League outfit Cherry Orchard and Place is also thought to be looking at the possibility of recruiting a few players from local junior sides St Peter"s and Willow Park. Place confirmed his search for new blood is continuing apace. 'I was bitterly disappointed with our display against Limerick. I expect our players to match the opposition in terms of energy levels and application and while I felt we still played some good stuff at times, it was probably the poorest we"ve been this season. I was already lining up four or five new signings and hopefully something will happen on that front in the near future,' said Place, who stressed that signing a new striker or two is high on his agenda. Athlone play Kildare County in the third round of the FAI Senior Cup this Saturday (Station Road, kick-off: 7.30pm). Stephen Place will return to the squad and probably the starting line-up after missing the Limerick game through suspension. Kevin Williamson serves the second match of a four game suspension and Kevin Dunne"s availability is not yet known as he continues to sit his Leaving Cert.