Fenlon must hit the ground running

Pat Fenlon was yesterday handed the chance to prove he has what it takes to establish Shelbourne as the dominant force next season, but the new player-manager's initial contract is believed to run only until the end of the forthcoming season.

The former St Patrick's Athletic and Shamrock Rovers midfielder takes over at Tolka Park with immediate effect and, at the press conference held to confirm his appointment yesterday, he said that he hopes to adds a few players to the club's already substantial squad.

Of those currently there, only Peter Hutton's future remains uncertain, but Fenlon insisted that, having talked to the former Derry City player, he is hopeful that he will stay on for at least another campaign.

John McDonnell, who resigned the manager's job at Dublin City earlier this week was, as expected, appointed to assist Fenlon who will continue to play for Shelbourne next season.

The club's pre-season preparations will start on May 25th and Fenlon will bring his squad to Cyprus at the start of June in order to get them ready for the start of the new campaign in early July.

St Patrick's Athletic have opted to seek FAI-backed arbitration in the dispute over the registration of Ugandan international Charles Mbabazi rather than bringing the case to the High Court.

The club's new solicitors, Arthur Cox and Co, have written to the association asking that the arbitration procedures be initiated and, if all goes to plan, then the case could be heard within the next couple of weeks.

Shelbourne chief executive Ollie Byrne said yesterday, however, that the club "has an objection in". The club was unhappy with the way in which the arbitration in relation to Paul Marney was handled and Byrne has said more than once that he believes Shelbourne is in a position to block this dispute being dealt with in the same way.

Meanwhile, former Shelbourne midfielder Paul Doolin was last night named as the Eircom Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland Personality of the Year at the organisation's annual banquet in Dublin.

Doolin, a five-times double winner who had never won the award before, was rewarded for an outstanding first year in management with UCD.

The association also presented a special merit award to Liam McMahon who recently retired from the manager's post at Cobh Ramblers.

The a.g.m. of the National League takes place in Dublin this morning when the organisation's leading officials are likely to face some fierce questioning from club representatives regarding the series of registration controversies that have dogged Merrion Square this season.