Colin Fortune has been appointed the new manager of Women's Premier Division champions Athlone Town.
Fortune takes over from Ciaran Kilduff, who was named manager of men's First Division side Dundalk following his surprise resignation the day after the conclusion of the 2024 campaign.
Fortune brings considerable League of Ireland experience, both as a player and in management.
As well as having played for his hometown club Athlone, he featured for Kildare County, Dundalk and Galway and captained the Republic of Ireland team at the World Military games.
He then took on the role of academy coach with Athlone and worked his way up through the age groups and was appointed senior men’s team boss in 2016.
Fortune was assistant manager at Galway United under Alan Murphy and then John Caulfield for three years.
Prior to Athlone's approach, he was coaching with TUS Midlands.
He said "I’m honoured to be offered the position. It’s great to be back in elite football and with the opportunity to lead a team at the highest level of competition in Irish football and on the European stage in the Champions League."
Athlone won the league title for the first time but missed out on a double when Shelbourne defeated them comprehensively in the FAI Cup.
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