NATIONAL LEAGUE/News: St Patrick's Athletic will issue a statement this morning concerning the future of their manager Pat Dolan. Dolan had said he would make a decision yesterday regarding his proposed move to manage Cork City but the club announced during the day no statement would be made until after meeting between Dolan and chairman Andy O'Callaghan last night. The meeting added fuel to the rumours Dolan has had a change of mind on leaving to take up the offer to succeed Liam Murphy at Cork City.

O'Callaghan confirmed on Wednesday Dolan had been offered a two-year contract to stay at St Patrick's. It is believed, however, the new deal contained clearly defined terms of references for Dolan that entailed his managing the team and a secondary position as commercial manager. It is understood Dolan would not continue as chief executive and would thus not wield the wide influence over the club as he had under previous chairman Tim O'Flaherty.

Meanwhile, Shamrock Rovers have agreed to give Pat Scully a free release. Scully (32) didn't feature for the last two months of the season. Scully had expressed publicly his unhappiness with the club's preparations for the previous month's FAI Cup final which they lost to Derry City.