Cork City FC settle with former boss

A case for severance pay brought by the former manager of Cork City Football Club was settled for an undisclosed sum yesterday prior to a hearing of the issue before the Employment Appeals Tribunal.

Thomas Dunne, who took the reins of Cork City FC in 2010, led the club back to the Premier Division in 2011.

However, he and the club parted company in August 2013. The club had suffered four defeats in their previous six games and faced a relegation battle at the bottom of the Airtricity League Premier Division table.

At the time of his departure last year, Cork City FC chairman Mick Ring said: “The board have not come to this decision lightly or hastily, and we are extremely grateful to Tommy for all he has done for us over the last few years.”

Mr Dunne, 42, has since gone on to manage Galway FC, a new club formed last year.

The son of former Shamrock Rovers player and coach Theo Dunne and first cousin of Ireland international and Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne, Mr Dunne recently led Galway into the Premier Division.

Yesterday’s case was taken by him against the Friends of the Rebel Army Society, a supporters’ trust that trades as Cork City FC and elects a board of management to run the soccer club.

The hearing was to have taken place yesterday afternoon at the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork but was settled shortly before it was due to commence.

Tribunal chairwoman, Kate O’Mahony, was told by counsel for Cork City FC, Eoin Clifford, and Meg Burke, counsel for Mr Dunne, that the matter had been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties.

She granted liberty to re-enter the case until January 30.