Drogheda Utd job for former sports writer

Drogheda United may not have made its hoped-for move to Meath, but is maintaining strong connections with the county with its sponsors, Ray Coyle's Hunk Dorys, and now its newly-appointed club promotions officer, former sports journalist Shane Cassells, from Navan. The position is jointly funded by the club and the Football Association of Ireland and is integral to the club's commitment to fostering ties with local schools, business people and other community groups. Cassells, better known in Meath as a Fianna Fail member of Meath County Council, is a former sports journalist with the Drogheda Independent's Fingal edition, and according to a statement issued by the club, brings a vast amount of experience to the role both as a respected media person and also as a politician, having served as mayor of Navan on two occasions. "We received some very impressive applications for the position," said Trudy Kerr, general manager, "Shane's experience and proven ability in the world of PR and his work in the community was exactly what we and the FAI were looking for. He hugely impressed us with his ideas and experience and is very well liked and respected amongst his peers." Cassells commented: "The Drogheda United brand is strong and established and was a league and cup winning one just a few years ago. Playing in the Premier Division gives the club and the town great PR in the media that you just couldn't buy." In 1975, Drogheda FC amalgamated with Drogheda United (founded 1919) to form Drogheda United FC and the 1975-76 season saw an improvement in fortunes on the field as the club finished sixth in the league and reached the FAI Cup Final for the second time, losing 1-0 to Bohemians. The FAI Cup of 2005 was the club's first major trophy win in decades. They went on to win the Setanta Sports Cup, becoming the first League of Ireland side to do so, just a few months later. The 2006/2007 UEFA Cup marked the Drogheda's return to European competition and beating HJK Helsinki 4-2 on aggregate was Drogheda United's first ever win in the competition. Unfortunately, the club went out to IK Start of Norway in the next round. 'The Drogs' also won the 2007 Setanta Sports Cup. Examinership dominated the 2008 season's end. Fans rowed together in order to raise much needed funds to "save the Drogs." After months of uncertainty, Drogheda United rose phoenix-like from the ashes under the stewardship of Alan Mathews. Relegation was predicted in 2009 but Drogheda United defied the odds and survived a relegation play-off against Bray Wanderers. Shane Cassells is a member of Meath County Council and Navan Town Council and was the Fianna Fail by-election candidate in the Meath constituency following John Bruton's departure to Washington in 2005, when Fine Gael held onto its former leader's seat with Deputy Shane McEntee.