Athlone Town's Jamie Hollywood: 'The quality in our dressing room should be pushing towards the playoffs'
Jamie Hollywood has impressed since joining Athlone Town Credit: Gerry Shanahan (ETPhotos)
Despite two defeats on the spin, Athlone Town remain well positioned towards the top of the First Division table in 3rd place.
Adrian Carberry’s new-look side have impressed suitably thus far, earning big wins over Galway United and Cork City to name a few.
Their start has been even more impressive when the number of new recruits is considered in the equation.
In their last league game against Shelbourne – only four players in their matchday squad at Tolka Park were at the club last season, with just one of the four featuring - Jack Reynolds – and that was off the bench.
One of their new recruits is former Drogheda United and Longford Town midfielder Jamie Hollywood – and he has played in each of their games so far this season, scoring once.
“We’ve come out of the last two games with results we weren’t looking for,” the 23-year-old told extratime.com this week.
“On another night we would have got a result against Cabinteely and against Shels we were good in the first-half but didn’t really come out for the second-half.
“Overall, we are happy with our performances. We just need to be a bit smarter and grind out results and realise that not every game is going to be like the Galway or Wexford game.”
Despite joining a new club, Hollywood was in fact aided that he knew many at Athlone prior to signing a contract with the club.
“When I joined, Adrian only had good things to say about the club,” he adds. “The players that he brought in spoke for itself.
“There’s a lot of quality in there from this year and last. They’ve come up leaps and bounds in the last few years and we’re happy with our start.
“I knew coming in that I was going in to play with top players which is what made the move a lot more appealing to me.
“I could name all the players in the squad – they all have their own attributes and I’m delighted to be here.”
On Carberry, Hollywood said: “I don’t think you’ll meet a more positive person than Adrian around the league. He’s incredibly positive.
“It’s great to know that you have the backing of the manager to try different things and put our own stamp on the game and he gives us the license to do that.”
Hollywood joined Athlone after a year away from League of Ireland football, where he packed in a short stint with Crumlin United and St Mochta’s.
“When I was away from the league last year, people might think I’m mad, but I missed the travelling and commitment,” he said.
“I missed that end of it. It can be tough and demanding, and there are some nights that are the same day – from work to training and then the same the following day.
“But it’s a good atmosphere going to training, and I enjoy that and playing so it makes the journey a little bit easier.”
He added: “I came close to signing back with Longford during the break. It was agreed but with transfer forms, I couldn’t move because the Leinster Senior League was not officially – and the paperwork couldn’t go through.
“It was tough to take, and they obviously went on to get promoted – and I’d like to think I could’ve been a part of that if the paperwork had gone through.
“I enjoyed my time at Crumlin, but I was itching to get back to the league and maybe going to step up straight to the Premier with Longford was a bit unrealistic.
“I was looking for regular game-time and after speaking to Adrian at Athlone I felt that was a bit more realistic there and thankfully it has worked out so far.”
Next up for Athlone Town is a trip to Markets Field, a ground that Hollywood found the net on during his last competitive appearance at the venue.
“They were very good against us,” he said on Treaty United. “I know that we were quite poor in that pre-season game, but we were trying out different shapes and getting minutes into the legs, but we know going down there that it will be a tough game.
“They’re as good as any other side in this league and we’ll be looking to come out on the right end of the result because we need it right now.”
Should the Co. Westmeath secure another three points on Friday night, they will remain in the playoff positions – which is the aim for the club this season.
“The quality in our dressing room should be pushing towards the playoffs and we’ve said that,” he finished.
“We’re taking each game as it comes and anything else on top of the playoffs is a bonus.”
