SOCCER:Paul Doolin will be unveiled as Cork City manager on Thursday after he agreed terms with new owner Tom Coughlan this afternoon. The former Drogheda boss, a league winner in 2007, has signed a two-year deal with the Turner's Cross club.

He takes over from Alan Mathews, who was sacked by Coughlan at the end of last season, despite leading Cork to a Setanta Cup win in a turbulent season that saw financial backers Arkaga withdraw support.

“It’s a big club and it’s staying full-time which, after the last few years at Drogheda, was a big factor for me,” Doolin said this afternoon. “The budget won’t be on the same scale as last year but I understand that, everybody knows there’s a recession.

“The important thing for me was to be happy with the environment in which I’m going to be working with the players and after making a couple of suggestions on how the training ground out at Bishopstown could be improved the chairman (Tom Coughlan) has somebody going out there to start the work tomorrow.

“There’s not too many people would do that.”

Doolin, who also won two Setanta Cups and an FAI Cup with Drogheda, has yet to decide on an assistant and says he will be searching locally to fill that position.

With the transfer deadline (February 2nd) looming, his immediate concern will be a squad that consists of just nine contracted players.

He remains optimistic, however, that the economic climate across the league, especially at his former club, will ensure a number of players are available over the coming weeks.

“I’m starting late…the transfer deadline isn’t too far off and there’s only nine players but what I would say is that they’re all very good," said Doolin. “I’ll look to add maybe another six good ones and then work with some of the young players who have been coming through at the club.

“I’ll talk to everyone who was here, though, and hopefully there’ll be a few of the lads from Drogheda available. There are a lot of good players out there at the moment but I’ll have to work fast.”

In a club statement released this afternoon, Coughlan said: “I’m thrilled that Paul has signed up to lead our team in our challenge for all the major honours next season.

“Our search for new players begins now, and we look forward to more exciting announcements in next few weeks.”