McGee announced as Devon boss
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Salthill Devon have announced that Emlyn Long has been relieved of his duties as manager of the League of Ireland First Division team. Paul ‘Ski’ McGee, a former Irish international, has been installed as the new boss as the Galway side looks to turnaround their early season form, with the side languishing at the foot of the table after eight games this season.
“Paul is taking over as manager and Mike Quirke, who was in a dual head coach and player role under Emelyn, will remain however I think he will only be called on to play if we are really stuck,” said Pete Kelly, PRO at Salthill.
McGee has strong links to Devon, having played for them after his lengthy and successful League of Ireland career – in which he is in the top ten scorers of all time – finally came to an end in the early nineties.
“Paul lives locally, he was head coach about four years ago, so he has an affiliation to the club. When he was finished his League of Ireland career he came playing for Salthill Devon on Saturdays and that. His son even plays for the Under nines,” said Kelly.
Salthill have been restricted by injuries and a small squad so far this season, however the return of one of their key players last season is not too far away so things may look up for the side in the near future.
“We have a small squad, with regards experienced players, and we had two 16-year-olds on the bench recently. Robbie Porter, who did an outstanding job in centre midfield for us last season, has been injured since hurting his knee in a pre-season friendly and that has been a huge loss. He is a very good player, well capable of playing in the League of Ireland, and should be back in the coming weeks, which would be a boost,” said Kelly.
McGee faces the daunting task of hosting league leaders Shelbourne in his first game in charge this Saturday, with Salthill having picked up just two points from a possible 24 so far this term.
“Paul would know all the players. Given the fact that we have a lot of indigenous players, Paul would have coached them when they were a lot younger. Paul is a very bouncy character. He has worked well with guys in the past so you would expect a good effect on the players, being a new manager. Although whether or not the effect is good enough to help us beat Shels on Saturday remains to be seen,” said Paul Kelly, PRO at Salthill.
“Paul is taking over as manager and Mike Quirke, who was in a dual head coach and player role under Emelyn, will remain however I think he will only be called on to play if we are really stuck,” said Pete Kelly, PRO at Salthill.
McGee has strong links to Devon, having played for them after his lengthy and successful League of Ireland career – in which he is in the top ten scorers of all time – finally came to an end in the early nineties.
“Paul lives locally, he was head coach about four years ago, so he has an affiliation to the club. When he was finished his League of Ireland career he came playing for Salthill Devon on Saturdays and that. His son even plays for the Under nines,” said Kelly.
Salthill have been restricted by injuries and a small squad so far this season, however the return of one of their key players last season is not too far away so things may look up for the side in the near future.
“We have a small squad, with regards experienced players, and we had two 16-year-olds on the bench recently. Robbie Porter, who did an outstanding job in centre midfield for us last season, has been injured since hurting his knee in a pre-season friendly and that has been a huge loss. He is a very good player, well capable of playing in the League of Ireland, and should be back in the coming weeks, which would be a boost,” said Kelly.
McGee faces the daunting task of hosting league leaders Shelbourne in his first game in charge this Saturday, with Salthill having picked up just two points from a possible 24 so far this term.
“Paul would know all the players. Given the fact that we have a lot of indigenous players, Paul would have coached them when they were a lot younger. Paul is a very bouncy character. He has worked well with guys in the past so you would expect a good effect on the players, being a new manager. Although whether or not the effect is good enough to help us beat Shels on Saturday remains to be seen,” said Paul Kelly, PRO at Salthill.
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