Lims bide time to replace sacked Scully

Limerick FC chairman Pat O’Sullivan says the club won’t rush into finding a new manager after the newly-promoted Shannonsiders surprisingly parted company with manager Pat Scully.

Despite having a year to run on his contract, it was confirmed yesterday Scully had been relieved of his duties following a board meeting at the club. The club refused to say why he has been sacked.

“I can confirm that Limerick FC have parted company with Pat Scully,” said O’Sullivan on local radio.

“As a club, we wish Pat well in his career and we move on. We’ll be advertising the position promptly to fill the manager’s role ahead of the new season in the Premier Division.

“I’ve no interest, with due respects, to get into a discussion on how we came to the decision. As a board, we made the decision.

“It wasn’t our intention to be saying it now, but there were rumours out there that needed to be put to bed as of (yesterday). Limerick FC have parted with Pat on good terms.

“We will take our time to find the best candidate for Limerick and that’s what we’ll be doing.

“We won’t be doing something hasty as we might find ourselves in the position whereby we don’t have the right guy. If we take our time, we’ll give ourselves the best chance of getting the right person to fill Pat’s shoes.”

Precisely why Scully has gone remains unclear as the 42-year-old, who’d been in charge since March 2009, was unavailable for comment. Scully’s assistant, Mark Dempsey, left the club a fortnight ago.

The shock move comes just over a month after former international Scully led Limerick to promotion after 19 seasons in the First Division.

An all-too-brief statement on the club’s website read: “Limerick FC and manager Pat Scully have parted company. The board of Limerick FC wish Pat all the best for the future. Limerick FC will now advertise the vacant position of manager in the near future.”