Place signs new "keeper ahead of League game

Athlone"s recently appointed new manager Brendan Place takes charge of his first competitive home game this Saturday when the Town face Kildare County at Lissywoollen (kick-off: 8pm). The game represents not only a major occasion for Place but is also something of a milestone in Athlone"s history, as it"s the club"s first home outing since its loyal supporters recently kept the club in business. Athlone had well documented financial problems in recent months but a successful patrons" scheme managed to drag the club off the floor and help secure a playing licence for the season. And ahead of this weekend"s game against Kildare, Brendan Place has added further to his relatively thin squad with the addition of former Dundalk goalkeeper Aaron Shanahan. Shanahan, 24, was back-up to Dundalk "keeper Chris Bennion last season and has also previously played for Kilkenny City in the league. The netminder has also played for Bangor Celtic and Malahide Utd in the Leinster Senior League in the past. The Drogheda native had been on trial with his home town club in recent weeks but Brendan Place continued to pursue his signature and finally sealed it on Monday evening. Athlone had a real need to sign another "keeper after a deal to bring Dream Team star Alex O"Reilly collapsed due to complications over international clearance. Last Friday, Athlone opened their First Division campaign with a deserved 1-0 victory over league newcomers Mervue Utd at Terryland Park, with Noel McGee netting the all-important goal. This weekend"s opponents Kildare County finished bottom of the table last season and also lost a two-legged play-off against Mervue Utd, but earned a league reprieve when Cobh Ramblers dropped out of the league. Kildare are many people"s favourites to once again prop up the division but Place, who must cope without the suspended Damien Rushe, is taking nothing for granted. 'We got a decent start last week against Mervue Utd but it"s only a start,' Place said. 'I"ve told the players they can"t take anything for granted in this division. We only won one game and need to instil a desire and willingness in the players to play well every week. I watched Kildare last Saturday and they drew 1-1 with Finn Harps. They were very competitive and are a very young side. They looked to do things quickly when it was on and we"ll have to be at our best to get a result,' the manager added. Damien Rushe will be a major loss to Athlone this weekend after an impressive showing against Mervue Utd in the opening fixture, but right winger Emeka Onwubiko is expected to shrug off a slight knock to play. New signing Aaron Shanahan could also debut. Place said: 'I"m very pleased to add Aaron Shanahan to the squad. He pushed Chris Bennion all the way last season at Dundalk and provided Bennion with good competition. That"s something you need in your squad. John McGuinness started the game against Mervue and did well and they will both provide good competition for each other. We needed to strengthen in that particular area.' Shanahan may not be the sole acquisition this week either, with Place acknowledging his squad is still light in experience and numbers. The Town"s substitutes bench was almost entirely made up of teenagers last week and Place is keen to boost the squad further. 'I"m looking at one or two things and have a few options but, as I said before, I"m not going to sign players for the sake of it. They need to be right for the club and the squad,' Place said.