Pat Dolan was today, as expected, unveiled as the new manager of Cork City. The former St Patrick's Athletic boss has signed a three-year deal at Turner's Cross. A Cork City statement revealed that, as well as taking charge of City's first team affairs, Dolan will oversee the club's "off-field activities".
Speaking at a news conference in Cork today, Dolan said: "I cannot tell you how excited I am by this appointment. Anyone who knows anything about me will know that it was always going to have be something special to prise me away from St Pat's."
Last night, Dolan met with Pat's chairman Andy O'Callaghan to discuss a possible new contract, but the former Arsenal man declined the Richmond Park club's latest offer. Dolan spent 15 years at St Pat's, serving as a player, commercial manager, CEO, team manager and director of football. Since succeeding current national team boss Brian Kerr in 1996, Dolan helped the rejuvenated SuperSaints to three League Championships, one League Cup and one Leinster Senior Cup.
A Saints statement, issued last night, lamented the loss of Dolan: "We understand that Pat needs a new challenge and we wish him well in all his future endeavours and assure him that there will always be warm welcome for him at St Patrick's Athletic in The Stadium of Light. The club is losing a special person and we are losing a special friend."
Filed by James Boylan.
