Doolin primed for City challenge

AFTER a whirlwind seven days, new Cork City manager Paul Doolin has gone from contemplating a future outside football to the busy task of reaching his target of 17 full-time professional players at the club by February 2.

The former Drogheda boss gets to work today at the Bishopstown training ground but stopped short yesterday of making any bold predictions for the season ahead.

“I’m delighted to get a chance here,” he said at his unveiling yesterday. “It’s a big club and a big challenge but I’m ready.

“I read something the other day that said I must ‘win the league or else’. When you look back at last season, there were a lot of clubs that spent massive money and had nothing to show for it. People say we spent massive money at Drogheda. We didn’t. Not when you compare it to what’s being spent in Dublin.

“We want to be successful, there’s no doubt about that. The only thing is there are nine players signed up and I’ve already started inquiries about getting players in. It’s important that I get a decent squad before I do anything.

“Four of my five years at Drogheda were full time and it was a fantastic experience. So one of the big reasons I came here was because they were staying full time. (City chairman) Tom (Coughlan) wanted to bring the club forward because it’s been a little bit unstable over the last two or three years.”

Cork still have a few issues to clear up with the league licensing committee by the end of the month but Coughlan, who praised Doolin for taking what he described as “a substantial drop in wages’’, insists that the club will be in the Premier Division this season.

“We have somebody working on (the licensing) process full-time and all issues will be dealt with before the end of the month,” Coughlan said. “The FAI have been very cooperative in that regard as well. We are happy with the way things are going.

“All players are signing up to a pay agreement. There are some guys who are no longer with us and we are just finalising those. We are just dotting the Is and crossing the Ts but it will all be done by the end of the month. I’ve no question at all that we will be in the Premier Division and challenging for the title.”

Doolin said he is prepared to take his new boss at his word.

“It seems there is a lot of scepticism about (Tom Coughlan), for some reason. I think for me that he seemed like he wanted to bring the club on. I think it’s a new beginning for Cork City.

“At the moment, we’re not sure about a lot of clubs, that’s the unfortunate thing. But I have to say the way I operate is that I trust Tom. He has given me assurances. I wouldn’t dare judge anybody without knowing them. He’s a very genuine fella. He doesn’t know me and I don’t know him. You have to build up a relationship.”

With players a priority, he has yet to decide on his backroom staff, but he admits it will hurt not being involved in European football after his former team’s heroics in Kiev last autumn.

“When it comes around and we’re not there, it will hit home. It’s great for attracting players to the club. If you can get 17 full time players and a few young lads, you wouldn’t be doing too badly.”

Meanwhile St Patrick’s are to formally announce Paul Peschisolido as Jeff Kenna’s assistant manager today.

The Saints appointed Kenna as boss on Wednesday and the former Galway United manager was keen that Peschisolido should join him as his right-hand man.

Peschisolido, 37, was without a club, having made four appearances last season for Luton Town. He has played for several English Football League sides and 54 times for the Canadian national team, scoring 12 times.

“It’ll be formally announced on Friday that Paul Peschisolido (will be Jeff’s assistant),” Pat’s chief executive Richie Sadlier said yesterday. “He was the man Jeff wanted.”