Ex-Celtic star Miller amongst two new arrivals at Dundalk

Dundalk FC has this evening officially unveiled former Clyde boss and ex-Glasgow Celtic winger Joe Miller as Sean Connor’s assistant manager for the club’s long-awaited return to the League of Ireland Premier Division. Miller was unveiled at a press conference in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the past few moments, where striker Declan ‘Fabio’ O’Brien was also announced as a new playing recruit. Chris Turner's rumoured arrival, however, has been cast into doubt.

Joe Miller spent the majority of his 22-year playing career in Scotland and won the League and Cup double with Celtic in 1987/88. His only managerial experience to date also came in his native country as he led First Division side Clyde to mid-table safety and a Challenge Cup Final, where they lost out on penalties to Ross County, in his sole season at the helm in 2006/07. Miller, however, rejected the offer of a new contract in May 2007 and has been out of the public eye since, during which time he returned to Australia where he previously spent two spells as a player.

Ex-Drogheda United captain Declan O’Brien, meanwhile, will be the second player signed in the close season that hasn’t played under Connor before. 29-year-old O’Brien has chosen to cross the Louth divide after the fall of Drogheda, where he spent his entire League of Ireland career since signing for the Boynesiders back in 2002. During his time at United Park, O’Brien helped the club to their first ever Premier Division and FAI Cup successes, while he also captured two Setanta Sports Cup medals.

Thursday’s announcement brings to nine the number of players that Dundalk have so far signed ahead of the league’s commencement in March, with pre-season training due to begin this Saturday. Chris Bennion, Tiarnán Mulvenna, Shane Grimes and Simon Kelly are the only survivors from last year’s 23-man First Division title winning squad. Thomas Heary, who will be club captain, Shaun Kelly, Darren Mansaram, Harpal Singh and Declan O’Brien are Connor’s own signings to date, while he has also offered Jamaican Dwight Barnett, Maltese international Etienne Barbara and local nomad Kyle Moran trials. Ex-Saint Patrick’s Athletic midfielder Michael Keane will also get the chance to impress over the coming weeks.

Dundalk also announced on the evening that they have sealed a €20,000 sponsorship deal with the Crowne Plaza Hotel, where most of the club's recent press conferences have taken place. The hotel also already sponsors the club's official website, dundalkfc.com.

The Lilywhites also revealed their pre-season programme, with another fixture to be decided next week. February 10 – Lisburn Distillery vs. Dundalk – 7.45pm; February 14 – Drogheda United vs. Dundalk – 6pm (pending); February 21 – Sligo Rovers vs. Dundalk – 7.45pm; February 24 – Dungannon Swifts vs. Dundalk – 7.45pm; TBC – Monaghan United vs. Dundalk.