Doolin deserving of ‘boss of bosses’ title

SO CONGRATULATIONS to Paul Doolin on being named Philips Sports Manager of 2007.

At the end of a year in which Drogheda United successfully defended their Setanta Cup crown and went on to lift the club’s first ever League title, the gong for their boss was well deserved. It seems strange to recall now but, back at the start of the season, it was hard to find anyone who could see beyond Derry City as favourites to win the eircom league. And when the transformation from Stephen Kenny to Pat Fenlon and beyond proved less than seamless on Foyleside, attention quickly turned to St Pats who bounded out of the blocks like there would be no stopping them.

Canny, consistent Drogheda, however, turned to be the ones with ultimate staying power, even surmounting the kind of injury setbacks which would have derailed a lesser side, or one not lucky enough to be managed by a man with such a shrewd eye for running repairs. Indeed, it was one of Doolin’s summer signings, the Geordie journeyman Guy Bates, who provided the decisive strike in the 2-1 victory over Cork City in October which finally gave Drogheda their longed-for title.