Cork City confirm departure of Rónán Collins

Cork City FC have confirmed that their women’s first team manager, Rónán Collins, has stepped down from his role due to personal reasons.

The coach has been a mainstay at the club since he took over the women’s team on an interim basis in 2018. In addition to his work with the women’s first team, Collins also coached in City’s academy.

Collin’s best season at City was in 2020 when he guided the club to fourth place in the Women’s National League and to the FAI Women’s Senior Cup Final.

“It is always difficult to step away from something you are passionate about, but I feel that now is the right time for me to take a step back and let someone else take on the role,” Collins told the club’s media team.

“I have really enjoyed my time with the club, I have worked with some great people and it is a time I will always look back on with great fondness. I wish the players, staff and all at the club nothing but the very best of luck for the future.”

Reacting to the news, City Chairman Declan Carey said: “We would like to place on the record our thanks to Rónán for the job he has done.

“Aside from securing a fourth place league finish and reaching the FAI Cup Final last season, he has put a tremendous amount of work in behind the scenes.

“During his time in charge, Rónán put an enormous effort into building the structures of the women’s side of the club and providing a pathway for young players to come through into the first team squad. “The benefits of the work he has put in will be felt for a long time to come, and we will always be grateful for that.”

Paul Farrell, assistant manager, will assume the role of interim manager for the side’s next game, against Galway on Saturday, 5 June as the club begins the recruitment process for a new manager.