Tim Clancy

Clancy becomes a Saint

Trim man Tim Clancy was this evening confirmed as the new manager of St Patrick's Athletic, replacing Stephen O'Donnell who is expected to take over from Vinny Perth at Dundalk FC.

As the rumour mill started turning late last week that O'Donnell was in line to replace Perth at the Co Louth club, Clancy was given permission by Drogheda United to hold talks with the Richmond-based St Patrick's Athletic to take over from O'Donnell and that move was confirmed this evening.

Without confirming O'Donnell's departure St Pat's announced Clancy's arrival as an "addition" to their management team for 2022, but it is clear that the Trim man has signed a two-year contract to take over as manager.

“I'm delighted to join the management team at a massive club like St Pat’s and looking forward to helping the club to achieve its great ambitions," said Clancy.

“It was a difficult decision to leave Drogheda and I’m eternally grateful to them for giving me my first opportunity in management.”

St Pat's have been frustrated by O'Donnell's decision to leave the club, claiming the former Dundalk player went back on his word to extend his contract with the Dublin club. However, the Inchicore club have expressed their gratitude to Drogheda United for the way they handled their approach for Clancy.

“We would like to thank Drogheda United for their professionalism in this process and permitting us to speak with their manager with a view to him joining St Patrick’s Athletic," said a St Pat's statement.

In the wake of Clancy's departure from Drogheda United the move swiftly to appoint Clancy's right-hand man Kevin Doherty as his replacement where he will be assisted by former Drog Daire Doyle. who was in charge at Longford Town for a couple of seasons.

“I’m delighted to become the manager of this fantastic football club. I’ve really enjoyed working with Tim over the last few years and I look forward to continuing to build upon the great work that we have done together. I’m also thrilled that Daire, an ex-Drog himself, is joining me to really push the club forward,” said Doherty.

In welcoming Doherty's appointment Drogheda United chairman Conor Hoey also expressed his best wishes to Clancy and wished him luck in the future.

“Kevin has done a magnificent job as Tim Clancy’s assistant for the past four years and with Tim’s departure, it is the natural evolution for Kevin to take on the top job,” said Hoey.

“We’re equally delighted to warmly welcome Daire, a former player, back to the club. I think this is an exceptionally strong management team who really buy into what everyone at Drogheda United is trying to achieve and we’re all now looking forward to the 2022 season.

“We wish Tim well as he moves on to pastures new and thank him for all that he achieved at Drogheda United. I would also like to say thank you to St Patrick’s Athletic for the professional and courteous manner in which they have acted in relation to Tim’s departure from Drogheda United.”