Limerick target top class candidate

LIMERICK FC have responded swiftly to the resignation of manager Mike Kerley (pictured right).
Although the club only accepted Kerley’s resignation as recently as Thursday night club CEO Andrew Mawhinney is set to meet what he describes as a “top class” candidate for the job this Tuesday.
Mawhinney has also been quick to dispel any mischievous rumours surrounding Kerley’s surprise exit with the 2009 Eircom League season a mere 12 days away.
“Mike Kerley resigned for personal reasons,” Andrew Mawhinney explained to Leader Sport, “nothing more and nothing less. He talked to Jack (club owner Jack McCarthy) on Thursday night and personally offered his resignation.
“It did come as a surprise to us. In fairness to Mike he is an excellent manager and we certainly didn’t want to lose him, but he made a decision to move on and we have to accept that decision.
“There is no story here other than we’re sorry to lose a manager who did such a terrific job last season.
“Our next move must be to find a replacement.
“We’re already busy trying to look at alternatives and we have some feelers out.
“We need to be careful, follow due process and personally I want to make sure we get the right man.
“Obviously we would like to fill the position sooner rather than later.”
Although Mike Kerley’s resignation threw Limerick FC’s preparations for the new season into disarray the club have re-grouped while Dave Mahedy took responsibility for training the 24-man squad over the weekend.
Late last week Brian O’Callaghan signed for the Super Blues while club CEO Andrew Mawhinney is expecting to finalise the playing squad by the end of this week.
Limerick’s season kicks off on Friday, March 6 away to UCD.
Mike Kerley’s resignation tempered the news on Thursday that Real Madrid were on their way to Limerick.
Last week Leader Sport’s Colm Kinsella learned that talks between officials from the aristocratic Spanish club and Thomond Park chiefs are at an advanced stage and that Real Madrid are likely to play a high-profile friendly at the 26,000-capacity stadium this coming July.
European heavyweights the Netherlands, former European champions Denmark and Premier League side Sunderland are also being lined up to entertain fans at the redeveloped stadium.
Details of the impressive programme of games are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
While the international friendlies are being organised by the FAI, Thomond Park Stadium chiefs are involved in bringing Real Madrid to Limerick while Limerick FC are behind the visit of Sunderland.
Meanwhile Pike Rovers (who beat Nenagh 3-0 yesterday), Regional United (who beat Peake Villa on penalties following a two-all draw) and Fairview Rangers (who beat Rineanna Rovers 1-0) have progressed to the quarter-finals of the Lucozade Sport Munster Junior Cup.
Unfortunately Carew Park lost their last 16 clash against Tramore Athletic on penalties.
In the quarter-finals Regional United will travel to face Cork’s Mayfield United, Fairview Rangers will face Dungarvan United away from home while Pike Rovers will entertain Tramore Athletic.
Pike Rovers, the Premier League leaders, travel to Turner’s Cross next weekend to face Cork City in the Munster Senior Cup while three local sides will be desperately hoping to make it through to the Umbro FAI Junior Cup quarter-finals when they contest round seven of Ireland’s most prestigious junior competition.
Regional United travel to face Bohemians in Waterford, Fairview Rangers are also away to Evergreen United while Janesboro host Clonmel Town at Pearse Stadium.

Brian McDonnell