St Patrick's keep it in the family
Tuesday, February 25, 2003
Article summary
Saint Patrick's Athletic FC have appointed former assistant Eamonn Collins as their new manager.
Article body
Top job
Collins becomes the club's fourth manager in 16 years after three seasons as assistant manager, and is relishing the challenge of leading the team he played for as a schoolboy two decades ago.
'My best shot'
"St Pat's have always been a big part of my life, I was here as a young lad, and my brothers played for the club," said Collins after his appointment on a two-year contract on Tuesday. "This is something I have always wanted to do and I am really looking forward to the challenge. St Patrick's is the biggest job in the world for me and I will give it my best shot."
Rebuilding task
Collins' first task will be to rebuild the St Patrick's squad, which flirted with relegation last term, just one season after finishing top of the Premier Division only to be denied the championship because of a 15-point penalty imposed due to player irregularities. Martin Russell has been named as his assistant.
Departed players
St Patrick's have lost goalkeeper Shay Kelly to Bohemian FC, as well as strikers Ger McCarthy (Shelbourne FC) and Philip Hughes (Kildare County FC) while Martin Russell has retired. Arriving at Richmond Park, however, is defender Brian McGovern, and Collins has promised "there will be changes".