Sadlier in as McDonnell contract extended

The Board of St Patrick’s Athletic FC has announced the appointment of Richard Sadlier as Chief Executive of the club with immediate effect. Commenting, St Patrick’s Chairman, Garrett Kelleher, said: “Richard has been a member of the board since I took ownership of the club last year. He has contributed greatly in his time with us and we believe he has the necessary skills and experience to take the club forward both on the football and commercial side. The fact that his career as a top professional in England was foreshortened by serious injury meant that he had to draw on his other talents to re- establish himself and he has done this successfully. I believe he shares our vision for what can be achieved within the professional game in Ireland and we are delighted that he has taken up the role.”

Richard Sadlier said he shared the excitement at what could be done in Irish football and that he believed St. Patrick’s would be at the vanguard of a move towards more professional standards within the game. “We have a long-term plan in place which we hope will establish St Patrick’s as the dominant force in domestic football both on and off the pitch. In a city of one and half million people I find it unacceptable that three thousand spectators at a top level league game in the most popular sport in the country is acknowledged as a good return. I am relishing the prospect of working with the people of this city to create a top quality football club that they can relate to and will take pride in. Having been involved with St Pat’s for the past year I am aware of the great energy and enthusiasm that exists within the club and I am looking forward to harnessing those attributes in our attempts to achieve new successes.”

Richard Sadlier said the board had also approved a contract extension for First Team Manager, Johnny McDonnell. Johnny has done a really good job. Last year the club finished second in the Premier Division and we all believe we can go one better this season. He has built a strong squad, works extremely hard and has progressed with his coaching qualifications extremely well. I am delighted he has agreed to extend his contract and I look forward to him achieving even more success with the 1st team. He and I will be working closely on the overall football development of the club.”

St. Patrick’s Athletic, currently second in the Premier Division two points behind leaders Bohemians, continue their league programme with a home fixture at Richmond Park this Sunday July 6th against Finn Harps. Kick off is at 7pm.