Pete Mahon gets short-term contract as Pat's boss
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Following the resignation of Jeff Kenna after nine months in charge of St. Patrick's Athletic, the club have moved swiftly to appoint a new manager, but only for the remainder of the 2009 season. Pete Mahon, formerly manager of Bohemians and UCD, has taken on the role of steering the beleaguered Inchicore outfit away from an impending relegation battle.
Mahon emerged as an early favourite to take on the job after Kenna's resignation last Friday morning, although speculation has also linked Stephen Kenny and Damien Richardson to the post. Mahon was in charge of UCD for over five years and left in January after their demotion to the First Division.
The 62-year old was immediately linked with the then vacant position at Richmond Park but denied any interest in the job at the time.
"I will not be applying for any job", Mahon stated at the time. "I have never applied for a job in my life. That is not to say I wouldn't be interested if one came along, but at the moment I am just enjoying life."
Now set to take up the hot seat after tonight's Setanta Cup clash with Derry City, Mahon was caretaker manager in the period between Pat Dolan's resignation and Liam Buckley's appointment in 1998, a happier time for the club in an era of back-to-back titles. He will be quickly pressed into the spotlight as the TV cameras are in Richmond Park for a vital clash with Cork City this Friday.
A statement confirming Mahon's appointment appeared on the club's official website this morning and reads as follows:
"St Patrick’s Athletic would like to announce the appointment of Pete Mahon as manager of the first-team for the remainder of the 2009 season.
Maurice O'Driscoll will continue in his role as caretaker manager for this evening’s Setanta Sports Cup fixture against Derry City.
Pete will begin in his new role from tomorrow.
“I’m delighted to have a man of Pete’s experience in charge of the team at this point in the season.
"Hopefully he can make an immediate impact, beginning with this Friday’s game at home against Cork City”, said the club’s CEO, Richard Sadlier."
Mahon emerged as an early favourite to take on the job after Kenna's resignation last Friday morning, although speculation has also linked Stephen Kenny and Damien Richardson to the post. Mahon was in charge of UCD for over five years and left in January after their demotion to the First Division.
The 62-year old was immediately linked with the then vacant position at Richmond Park but denied any interest in the job at the time.
"I will not be applying for any job", Mahon stated at the time. "I have never applied for a job in my life. That is not to say I wouldn't be interested if one came along, but at the moment I am just enjoying life."
Now set to take up the hot seat after tonight's Setanta Cup clash with Derry City, Mahon was caretaker manager in the period between Pat Dolan's resignation and Liam Buckley's appointment in 1998, a happier time for the club in an era of back-to-back titles. He will be quickly pressed into the spotlight as the TV cameras are in Richmond Park for a vital clash with Cork City this Friday.
A statement confirming Mahon's appointment appeared on the club's official website this morning and reads as follows:
"St Patrick’s Athletic would like to announce the appointment of Pete Mahon as manager of the first-team for the remainder of the 2009 season.
Maurice O'Driscoll will continue in his role as caretaker manager for this evening’s Setanta Sports Cup fixture against Derry City.
Pete will begin in his new role from tomorrow.
“I’m delighted to have a man of Pete’s experience in charge of the team at this point in the season.
"Hopefully he can make an immediate impact, beginning with this Friday’s game at home against Cork City”, said the club’s CEO, Richard Sadlier."
About Alan Dooley
is one of Extratime's longest serving contributors. Based in County Galway, Alan has been following the League of Ireland since the mid-1980s. His first memory of the drama of domestic football was Vinny Arkins, then … View Full Profile