Pat Scully may succeed Mike Kerley

LIMERICK FC could be on the verge of landing a notable coup if they succeed in tempting Pat Scully to replace Mike Kerley as first team manager.
Scully, who guided Shamrock Rovers back into the Premier Division in 2006, attended Limerick FC’s clash with Athlone Town on Friday night in Jackman Park and it has been rumoured that the club are mere days away from confirming the Dubliner as the club’s new manager.
Club CEO Andrew Mawhinney however has been quick to dispel that rumour. Mawhinney told Chronicle Sport this morning: “No definite decision has been made as of yet. The chairman of the club, Jack McCarthy, has been in Limerick for the past few days and he has taken the opportunity on this visit to interview possible candidates for the job.”
Even though Andrew Mawhinney would not be drawn on the identity of the candidates in question the indications are that Scully remains the favourite to succeed Mike Kerley who departed the club several weeks ago.
An accomplished central defender during his playing career Pat Scully won the 1988 FA Youth Cup with Arsenal and after loan spells at Preston North End and Northampton Town he moved to Southend United in January 1991 before moving to Huddersfield Town in March 1994. In 1996 Scully joined Shelbourne who he captained to a league title before signing for Shamrock Rovers in 2001.
After a glittering playing career Scully was eager to stay in the game and when offered a chance by Kilkenny City in 2005 to begin his managerial career he took it.
Pat Scully then earned himself a reputation as the best up-and-coming manager in the League of Ireland when he took over at Shamrock Rovers and led them to the First Division title in his very first season (2006). Scully followed that achievement up with fifth place finish in the Premier Division (2007) - Pat Scully departed Shamrock Rovers last October by mutual consent.
Considering what Pat Scully achieved at Shamrock Rovers Super Blues supporters are sure to welcome such an appointment especially since the Dubliner proved capable of developing a side on a limited budget.
Meanwhile, under caretaker managers Paul O’Donnell and Mike Shiels, the Super Blues are preparing to face Dermot Keely’s Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Friday night (kick-off 8pm).
Shelbourne are joint-top of the First Division having opened their 2009 campaign with three consecutive wins. And, Shels will be further motivated by memories of November 16 last when a Colin Scanlon strike earned the Super Blues a one-all draw at Tolka Park and effectively cost Shelbourne promotion to the Premier Division. On the night Shelbourne needed to beat the Super Blues, but despite taking the lead through Anto Flood Limerick fought back to score a late equaliser and deny Shels the league title.
Shelbourne opened their 2009 league campaign with a 2-1 home win against Wexford Youths before winning twice on the road against Monaghan United and most recently Waterford United at the RSC.
Shelbourne are many observers’ favourites for automatic promotion this season. Dermot Keely can call on plenty of talent especially strikers Anto Flood and Paddy Madden while Richie Baker and David McAllister feature in midfield for the Dublin club.
Limerick’s caretaker managers Paul O’Donnell and Mick Shiels will have to plan without Paul Cummins for the next fours weeks after the centre-forward suffered a broken bone in his foot against Mervue United while they will also be concerned about the fitness of John Tierney who limped off after shipping a heavy challenge against Athlone Town on Friday night last. However this Limerick side are as good a footballing outfit as there is in the division and they are well capable of getting a result.
In other news Limerick FC have been drawn at home against the Wexford Youths in the first round of the League of Ireland Cup - the first round will take place on April 13-14 with the winner of that clash facing either the Kerry League or Cork City on May 4-5 in the next round.

Brian McDonnell