Briefs

Hicks and Gillett agree settlement

The last remnants of the former Liverpool regime of Tom Hicks and George Gillett were finally expunged after they agreed a settlement to drop their lawsuits over the sale of the club in 2010.

Deals have been struck with Royal Bank of Scotland, Martin Broughton, Christian Purslow and Ian Ayre – chairman, managing director and commercial director at the time – to bring an end to their legal challenge.

The Americans, unhappy with the way the sale was conducted in October 2010, made a number of claims and allegations against RBS and the individuals, which were all denied, which resulted in court proceedings.

However, all parties have come to a confidential agreement.

Sligo manager Baraclough takes personality-of-year award

After leading Sligo Rovers to the league title at the very first attempt, Ian Baraclough has been named as the Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland Personality of the year for 2012.

The 42 year-old former QPR and Notts County defender, who finished up his playing career at Scunthorpe before managing the club, took over at Showgrounds less than a week before the season started but showed a remarkable ability to get the most out of the side.

The team clinched the title - the club's first for 35 years - with a couple of games to spare and Baraclough beat off competition from two of his fellow managers - Declan Devine and Mick Cooke - as well as three of his own players - Jason McGuinness, Danny Ventre and Mark Quigley - to win the Airtricty-sponsored award.

EMMET MALONE

Taylor determined to lay foundations at Limerick

Stuart Taylor will take charge of training at Limerick for the first time this morning with the Scot determined to lay the foundations over the coming weeks for Premier Division survival this season and success over the years ahead.

“We have 10 players signed at the moment with another couple very close to being done but I’m talking to quite a few more,” says the former Drogheda United player, who was strongly recommended for the post by Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert.

“I want to see the young lads come through, the experienced lads we have do well and new signings coming in to bring the club to the next level,” added the 38-year-old.

Taylor takes over at Limerick after a six-month spell coaching with Al-Khor in Qatar and a period before that as assistant manager at Hamilton Academical in Scotland.

EMMET MALONE