Scullion and Relihan re-sign as Kerley builds squad for new season

ATHLONE Town manager Mike Kerley has completed the signings of three of last season's squad and is also confident of adding a further four new players before the end of the week. Kerley did his first business in the transfer market last week when confirming the additions of six players from Limerick, including the vastly experienced Tommy Barrett - and now goalkeeper Micheál Schlingermann, right-sided player Niall Scullion and young midfielder Stephen Relihan have committed to the cause for the 2011 season. Kerley has had little luck convincing the likes of Ronan Frawley and Noel McGee to return to the club at this stage, with both players committing to their respective junior clubs for the remainder of the Combined Counties League season. Kerley is also expected to confirm the re-signing of Kevin Williamson this week, and expects a further four new additions in the coming days. “It's been a little bit difficult (to sign new players) but things are beginning to come together now, and the squad should be in place within the next couple of weeks. I was happy with the level of player we brought in last week (the six signed from Limerick), and I'm delighted to get Micheál, Niall and Stephen signed up,†said Kerley. The Town manager said he will continue to monitor the local junior leagues with a view to possibly signing some players from that level when the junior transfer window reopens in June. “Unfortunately, the junior transfer window closed recently and it came too soon for us. Now, we're basically looking at out of contract players with league experience and hoping to sign a few very shortly,†said Kerley. Kerley was left frustrated in his attempts to add Frawley and McGee, and Ballinasloe Town striker Liam Lynch to his squad. However, but said he respects the decisions of each player to stay true to their junior clubs. “I was disappointed not to get a few players we approached, but I totally understand and respect their decisions to commit to their clubs until the end of the junior season. You have to understand that they have a few big months coming up with their junior teams. Maybe we'll be able to get a few of them on board in June,†said Kerley. Kerley admitted he needs to add further to his squad in the very near future, particularly in the forward areas, but is pleased with the group he has together so far. “We're obviously very light in terms of numbers but I hope to address that very soon,†said the manager. Kerley also cleared up some confusion about two of his recent signings - Tommy Barrett and Darren Young. Both Barrett and Young were believed to have signed player/coach deals, but Kerley confirmed that only Young has done so. “Tommy is here to play and I'll be looking at putting him straight in the team,†Kerley stressed. “Tommy is a player with huge experience and is great in the dressing-room. He's very good with young players and can be a leader for us on the pitch and in the dressing-room,†he added. Barrett has previously played for Limerick and Shamrock Rovers, and can operate comfortably at centre back or in the middle of midfield. On Young, Kerley said: “Darren was looking to come in and get some coaching experience and I was happy to give him the opportunity. Darren has signed playing terms but only in case of an emergency really, and I wouldn't see him featuring too much in the first-team, but I'm very happy to have him on board in a coaching capacity.†Kerley also briefed supporters on what to expect from Brendan Daly, Paul Danaher, Gary Higgins and Bobby Tier. Kerley said: “Paul Danaher is a big tall defender and played with Limerick for a couple of seasons. He fell away from Pat Scully's team last season and I think Limerick signed a few new central defenders, so he returned to junior football with Pike Rovers. It's a good chance for Paul to get back into the league and I think he can do well for us. Brendan Daly can play at right-back or in the middle of the park, and is a tireless worker. He's a native of Cork and played briefly for Cork City before spending a couple of years with Limerick. Again, he went into junior football in Limerick but I'm very pleased to get him. Brendan will run all day long, and you won't see him standing still on the pitch!†The Town manager described Gary Higgins as a player of some promise, but said it could take him time to settle into league football. “Gary is a very direct winger and has bags of talent, but it might take time for him to settle into league football. It's his first shot at the league and it might take a little longer for him to show his potential. Bobby Tier has a good amount of league experience with Limerick but is still a young player. He plays in the middle of the park and has an eye for goal. I managed Bobby with Limerick but he's improved further since then, and I think he's a good addition,†said Kerley. Despite having just over three weeks to confirm his playing squad for the start of the season in early March, Kerley believes Athlone will be “hard to beat†in 2011, and will have a very competitive side on the pitch for the first game of the campaign against Mervue Utd.