SOCCER:Former Shamrock Rovers boss Pat Scully has been appointed as the new Limerick FC manager.
Scully enjoyed a successful playing career in England where he spent four years with Arsenal (1987-91). He also played with Preston and Northampton and was player of the year at Southend and Huddersfield between 1991 and 1996.
In 1996 the 38-year-old returned to Ireland and signed for Shelbourne. Under his captaincy they defeated St Patrick’s Athletic in the final of the FAI Cup in his first season and went on to land the eircom Premier Division in 2000 during a successful period for the Tolka Park outfit.
He was the PFAI Player of the Year in 1997/98 and scored 11 league goals for Shelbourne that season.
The versatile defender won one senior international cap, two ‘B’ caps and nine under-21 caps.
He also played for Rovers from 2001, joined Drogheda United in 2003 and made his debut against his old club before hanging up his boots to take up his first managerial role with Kilkenny City at the start of the 2005 season.
The first division side narrowly missed out on promotion but it wasn’t long before one of the more illustrious clubs came calling. In 2006 he became manager of Rovers and immediately led them to the first division title before securing fifth in the Premier Division last year.
Scully says he is looking to forward to his latest challenge: “Having met the board, I was very impressed with their plans for the future of Limerick FC and I look forward to playing my part as manager in the future success of the club."
Limerick FC chairman Jack McCarthy is delighted to have landed such an experienced campaigner: “We are fortunate to bring on board a manager with Pat Scully's expertise and experience.”
