City set to unveil Dolan as manager

PAT DOLAN is expected today to be appointed manager of Cork City in succession to Liam Murphy.

Dolan was in last-minute talks last night with St Patrick’s Athletic and Cork City as both clubs sought to secure his services.

St Pats were seeking to retain a man who has served the club in many different roles, but primarily as first-team manager over a 14-year period. They offered him an enhanced contract when they learned of Cork’s interest.

Dolan was not available last night to clarify just what he had decided.

Cork City chairman Brian Lennox confirmed, however, that he was proceeding with plans to introduce Cork’s new manager to the press at a conference today at 12 noon.

Mr Lennox declined to confirm reports that Dolan had accepted Cork’s offer and said: “The new manager will be appointed at 12 noon on Friday and until then his identity remains a secret.”

Yet football sources were satisfied that Dolan was the man. He is reported to be excited at the potential of Cork’s young team and the room for development at the club.

Also, Mr Lennox’s offer of a contract was a generous one. The new manager will be appointed on a three-year contract with attractive financial terms and with funds to be made available to strengthen the team.

The St Patrick’s Athletic club has undergone a re-vamp since the long-serving chairman Tim O’Flaherty retired at the end of last season.

The new directors have embarked upon a rationalisation plan and it is believed that they offered Pat Dolan a position as director of football.

His assistant manager from last season, Eamonn Collins is expected to be appointed first-team manager with Martin Russell as his assistant and Paul Osam as coach.

The position at Cork was vacated by Liam Murphy at the end of the season. He stepped down to accept an appointment as technical director as Cork also set out to restructure their setup.

All of the Irish clubs must respond in the coming months to a directive from UEFA aimed at imposing professional structures on all clubs competing in the top leagues in their respective countries.

Pat Dolan joins Cork after enjoying remarkable success at St Pat’s where he made a huge impact on club activities.

He succeeded in building the fan base to the point where they are now the best supported team in Dublin and made significant advances in attracting sponsorships and financial backing from commercial sources, as well as increasing investment in developing Richmond Park.

He will probably be remembered by fans for his remarkable achievement in helping St Pat’s to win three league championships in four years, in 1996, ’98 and ’99.

Meanwhile, Cork City were disappointed yesterday when they received news that Alan Reynolds had not accepted their offer of a an improved contract.

Cork were under the impression that Reynolds would remain with them for another two years but they learned yesterday that the player is likely to join Shamrock Rovers.