Martin Reilly, seen here accepting the Texoil Player of the Month Award for October from Nicky Moran.

The Club can confirm that both Ger O'Brien and Martin Reilly will be playing their football with Kildare County next season.

O'Brien will again be out on loan next season, but it must surely be only a matter of time before St. Pat's recall him to Inchicore for first team duties. Martin Reilly has decided to leave Saint Mel's Park for personal reasons and work committments. With a new baby just arrived, and working very close to Station Road, the best decision for man and family was to move to the League's newest club.

We thank both for their valued services last season, and wish them all the best for the future.

Stephen Kelly has agreed to re-sign for the Club. The influential Town captain, who missed the second half of last season through injury will be looking to regain full fitness in time for the start of the new season in late March.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday January 26th 2004 are as follows:

26/01/04 - Potters Bar, Irishtown
Numbers drawn were 1, 6, 9 & 26

• Match 4 Winners [€3,600] - None
• Match 3 Winners [€150] - None.
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - Howie Grehan c/o Biddy Mulligans

Next week's draw takes place in The Castle Inn for a jackpot of €3,750. With a guaranteed winner every week, make sure you get your numbers into Athlone's biggest and best lotto today. Anyone interested in becoming a selling agent for the Lotto should contact Liam Gaffey on 087 1213147 or email info@athlonetownfc.com.

An open meeting will be held on Monday 2nd Febuary at 7pm in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone to make arrangements for the launch of Telethon 2004 here in Westmeath. Your attendance would be much appreciated.

During Telethon 2000 a total of €145,732 was raised and distributed in Co. Westmeath. The target set by the People in Need committee was exceeded due to the enthusiasm and commitment of members of the committee and the encouragement and support given to local groups and organisations by our team on the ground.

Don't forget that the Annual General Meeting of Athlone Town Football Club will take place on Thursday February 5th 2004 at 8pm in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone.

A very important and busy year lies ahead, so please do turn up on the night to air your views and ideas, and if desired, to get involved in the Club.

Best of luck to Town players Alan Kelly and Damien Rushe as they again represent Ireland on the Irish Colleges Team, this time on a three match tour of Cyprus.

Bealnamulla Athlone Town Ladies had a very important win last weekend. They beat Eureka United of Kells by two goals to one, inflicting the first defeat of the season on the League leaders.

Athlone Town Youths went down 2 - 0 at home to Leixlip United on Sunday afternoon. One down at the break, Athlone dominated the second half with Keith Hogan and Eamon Martin both having a number of a good chance saved by the in form Leixlip 'keeper, before letting in a sloppy second goal.

Don't forget that the Annual General Meeting of Athlone Town Football Club will take place on Thursday February 5th 2004 at 8pm in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone.

A very important and busy year lies ahead, so please do turn up on the night to air your views and ideas, and if desired, to get involved in the Club.

Aaron Callaghan will see his new charges in action for the first time, when they take on Shamrock Rovers in a pre-season friendly in late February. Ex-Town boss Liam Buckley will bring his team to Saint Mel's Park on Sunday February 22nd, with the action kicking off at 2pm.

A week later, newly promoted Dublin City come to town for Athlone's second pre-season outing. This match will take place on Saturday February 28th, at 7:30pm in Saint Mel's Park.

More friendlies are in the pipeline, and details will appear here once they are confirmed.

Eric Molloy: Staying with Athlone Town. Pic: Padraig Devaney.

NEW Athlone Town boss Aaron Callaghan has made his first signing of the close season, a week and a half after his appointment.

Tom Silke, a former Town player, and Athlone native, has made the move from Longford Town, following his former Assistant Manager to Saint Mel's Park.

The big centre half attracted a lot of interest from Sligo Rovers boss Don O'Riordan, but chose to return to his hometown club with the appointment of Callaghan.

Despite much media speculation on his future, talented winger Eric Molloy, another target of O'Riordan's has put pen to paper on a new deal keeping him at Saint Mel's Park. The former Manchester United reserve team winger scored a wonder goal against Sligo at the tail end of last season, capturing the eye of the north-westeners' boss.

Also retained for next season are midfielders Steven Gavin and Mick Collins, Irish Colleges duo, Damien Rushe and Alan Kelly, and centre half Des Hope. Hope graduated to the first team from the Under-21 set up last season, and improved with every game. The retention of his services will be a huge boost next season, as the Town push for promotion back to the Premier Division.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday January 19th 2004 are as follows:

19/01/04 - The Shack, Dublin Road
Numbers drawn were 10, 15, 19 & 20

• Match 4 Winners [€3,450] - None
• Match 3 Winners [€150 Shared] - John & Shelley Hill of Berries, Jimmy Gaffey Athlone Town Council, Diana Quinn Saint Mel's Terrace, Michael Keane Ballymahon Road & Padraig Dully Coolevin Park.
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - None

Next week's draw takes place in Potters Bar, Irishtown for a jackpot of €3,600. With a guaranteed winner every week, make sure you get your numbers into Athlone's biggest and best lotto today. Anyone interested in becoming a selling agent for the Lotto should contact Liam Gaffey on 087 1213147 or email info@athlonetownfc.com.

The Club can confirm that Shane Jackson, Brendan Markey and Stuart Holt have been released from the Club. We wish to thank all three for their services over the past season, and wish them best in their future careers.

In other news, pre-season training will commence on Saturday February 7th, with a number of friendlies in the pipeline for the following weekends.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday January 12th 2004 are as follows:

12/01/04 - Biddy Mulligans, Irishtown
Numbers drawn were 12, 20, 22 & 25

• Match 4 Winners [€3,300] - None
• Match 3 Winners [€150] - Jerome Dooley Retreat Park, Kathleen Lacey Clonown & Vanessa Francis [X 2] Hill of Berries.
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - None

Next week's draw takes place in Biddy Mulligans for a jackpot of €3,450. With a guaranteed winner every week, make sure you get your numbers into Athlone's biggest and best lotto today. Anyone interested in becoming a selling agent for the Lotto should contact Liam Gaffey on 087 1213147 or email info@athlonetownfc.com.

ATHLONE TOWN officially unveiled Aaron Callaghan as their new manager at a press conference in Athlone on Monday evening, Januray 12th 2004.

The 37 year-old Dubliner, who holds a UEFA 'A' Coaching Licence, told athlonetownfc.com what attracted him to the Athlone job.

"The potential has always been here in Athlone. Athlone is a good soccer town, and with the new stadium coming, it's time to harness that potential."

Speaking on his future team, the former Stoke City defender said, "I think it's important to bring in 3 or 4 good players from Dublin. We have a good young local team, who proved how good they are in the second half of last season. With that little bit extra, we will be in the top four. My objective is get Athlone back in the Premier Division."

Club Chairman Paddy McCaul welcomed the new manager to the Club, and wished him every success. "We are delighted that Aaron applied and showed the interest in the job. It's obviously a step down from the Premier Division, but hopefully it will only be temporary," he remarked.

Athlone Town Football Club wish to express their deepest sympathies to Jackie McKervey and family on their recent loss.

The following suspensions were issued by the Disciplinary Commission at their meeting on Wednesday, 7th January 2004 and will take effect as and from Wednesday, 21st January 2004 unless otherwise stated:

Shane Bradley (Finn Harps) suspended for TWO (2) competitive matches and fined €50 as a result of being sent off v Derry City (13.12.03). Automatic suspension in next eircom League match as per FIFA directive to be served and one competitive match as and from Wednesday, 21st January.

Athlone Town Football Club are in talks with current Longford Town Assistant Manager Aaron Callaghan, on taking up the position of First Team Manager at the Club.

After a full week of lengthy interviews, the interviewing panel, headed by Club Chairman Paddy McCaul, recommended the former Stoke City defender to the Club's Management Committee.

The recommendation was fully accepted by the Management Committee, leaving the Club in a position to open talks with the 37 year-old Dubliner.

Sincere condolences to the Rowan family on their recent bereavement, from all at Athlone Town Football Club.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday January 5th 2004 are as follows:

05/01/04 - Carey's Bar, Mardyke Street
Numbers drawn were 3, 8, 18 & 28

• Match 4 Winners [€3,150] - None
• Match 3 Winners [€150] - Noel 'Spike' McCormack 117 Sarsfield Square, Athlone.
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - None

Next week's draw takes place in Biddy Mulligans for a jackpot of €3,300. With a guaranteed winner every week, make sure you get your numbers into Athlone's biggest and best lotto today. Anyone interested in becoming a selling agent for the Lotto should contact Liam Gaffey on 087 1213147 or email info@athlonetownfc.com.

The Club hope to be in a position to announce a successor to Jimmy Greene, before the coming weekend. Interviews are still on-going, but should be wrapped up early this week, with the committee considering the recommended candidates in the second half of the week.

The Annual General Meeting of Athlone Town Football Club will take place on Thursday February 5th 2004. With a very important year lying ahead, we would urge all supporters of the Club to show up on the night. Even those who may not want to get directly involved, your ideas will be welcomed on the night. The meeting gets underway at 8pm in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel.