Terry Butler: 'This year was about settling things down'

Andrew Dempsey reports from Stradbrook Road

Terry Butler, despite making no attempt to hide his disappointment following his side’s defeat to Cabinteely on Friday evening – admits that the aim of the 2019 campaign was to settle things down at Lissywoolen.

The Blue and Black of the Midlands are guaranteed to finish second from bottom in the First Division table, an improvement on a demoralising 2018 season.

“This year was about settling things down,” Athlone boss Butler told extratime.ie.  

“I’m standing here talking to you saying I’m disappointed but if that was last year it could have been six or seven and we’ve put a bit of a stop to where we were at, but we need to kick on a bit.

“I think we’re a good footballing side. There’s no doubt about it. I thought our midfield was excellent tonight.

“We passed and moved the ball very well at times and it’s the style of play that I want to play, and the lads enjoy it.

“I think they’re trying to buy into what we’re trying to do and hopefully players that I’m going to be talking to will see that.

“If we get the right people in, hopefully we can find ourselves in the same position Cabinteely have found themselves in.

“Pat (Devlin) has done a smashing job here, but it takes time to put your stamp on it and see it out.

“This is my first season with it and as I said, Athlone is a big club and I hope they can push on, whether I’m here or not, and be a Cabinteely.”

With the defeat on Friday almost typifying the Co. Westmeath side’s season – Butler concedes that inexperience may have cost his team dear on Friday evening.  

“At this stage, I’m not going to be making too many excuses. The two centre halves we had playing have been there for a while, but I don’t know what happened.

“I thought they looked a little bit nervous for whatever reason tonight. I said before the game for them to enjoy it.

“We’re just playing for pride and points at this stage. We didn’t do the simple things and then we turned it around in the second half completely.”

The former Bohemians assistant boss added; “I’m disappointed with how we’ve put ourselves in so many good positions to score and win games, but we just don’t see games out.

“We just don’t have that experience through the team and we’re probably short of that in a few areas.

“We have spoken to the players and both the club and the players know what has to be done to progress.

“The policy we have is to bring young players through. Adam Lennon was good when he came on after coming through the ranks. Dean O’Shea and Paddy Kelly to name a few others as well.

“If we can bring two or three through every year, that’ll help in improving the squad.”