Michael O'Connor has been sacked as manager of relegation threatened Athlone Town. The club's directors clearly made their decision following last week's 4-1 FAI Cup second round replay defeat at home to First Division Finn Harps as, ironically, Athlone have since moved off the bottom of the table for the first time this season courtesy of a 1-0 win over fellow strugglers

The timing of the move is also a surprise given Athlone's traditionally doughty end-of-season-qualities and the fact that they are now six points adrift of Drogheda current occupants of the play-off place from which Athlone clung onto their Premier Division status last season.

Recently departed manager Tony Mannion is favourite to succeed O'Connor.