Athlone Town have to move on from Fortune exit

Athlone Town midfielder Sarah Rice says the players "have to move on" from the acrimonious exit of former manager Colin Fortune as the team prepares to face Glasgow City in the UEFA Women's Europa Cup tonight (7.20pm kick-off).

The midlanders are in pole position to win the league title and with an FAI Cup semi-final this weekend, are flying high going into their latest European assignment.

Town have already won three ties in Europe this season, but their clash with the Scottish club has been overshadowed by Fortune’s surprise resignation at the weekend.

Fortune took the reins last winter after league-winning boss Ciaran Kilduff stepped away to manage Dundalk's men's team, but departed from the role amid claims that he was not supported by his employers, including proposed executive involvement in team matters and not being granted a new contract before the end of this campaign.

The club hit back on Tuesday, claiming that Fortune had presented them "with an ultimatum" and put his own interests ahead of the team while budgets were still being finalised.

John Sullivan has been appointed interim manager for the remainder of the season, but midfielder Rice, who joined the club in June, says a line in the sand must be drawn.

"I think everybody was a bit surprised with the news, but things happen in football like that so we have to take it and move on and focus on Glasgow," she said.

"Obviously things like that are going to be a big shift, but we're really just focused on our next game, playing our best, staying together as a team and continuing to play the way that we play and navigating that challenge together."

The American has featured in each of Athlone's four European games so far and sees the bigger picture in showcasing Irish football at an elite level.

"We're super excited to be representing the league and to keep our historic run going," she said.

"This is another opportunity to show ourselves, keep playing well and test ourselves against a really good side.

"I got here in June and I've seen growth with the team. We're getting better each game, taking each game what we can work on.

"We're getting lots of great opportunities to play other teams in different competitions, so the team is adapting to that and growing all of the time."

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