Keely back in hot seat at Tolka Park

Shelbourne crisis:Dermot Keely was last night announced as Shelbourne's new manager on a day of frantic comings and goings at Tolka Park.

The much-travelled Keely (52) returns to the club he managed to a league and cup double in 2000 and to a second championship two years later. It's his 13th managerial appointment.

Keely's appointment brought some stability after the club appeared to have been thrown into further disarray yesterday morning following the surprise resignation of interim chairman Gary Brown.

With the transfer deadline next Wednesday, Keely will require all his powers of persuasion to assemble a squad for life in the First Division.

Although, while it appears the club have reluctantly decided against appealing the FAI's First Instance Committee's decision of last Monday to relegate them, they refused to confirm a definite decision on that last night.

A brief statement read: "Shelbourne FC is pleased to announce the appointment of Dermot Keely as manager for the new season. The club is very grateful to Dermot for coming on board at this time. He brings to the job a proven track record, a wealth of experience and, most importantly at this time, a determination to rebuild for the future. Dermot will spend the weekend putting together a squad of players, a task that will be very difficult given the looming transfer deadline of next Wednesday.

"It is also confirmed," the statement continued, "that Gary Brown has stepped down from the position of interim chairman of the management committee. The club would like to express its gratitude to Gary for helping out at this difficult time."

Brown, along with his immediate predecessor, Finbar Flood, who also resigned as acting chairman earlier this month, had worked at negotiating a rescue package with investor and Irish Sports Council chairman Ossie Kilkenny that will see the payment of debts to players and the Revenue Commissioners and put a guaranteed budget in place for the new season. Brown, who said he had given it his best over the last eight days, wouldn't be drawn on precisely why he stepped down, for fear of jeopardising Kilkenny's continued involvement.

It is believed, however, that Brown had become increasingly frustrated with what he saw as the board's procrastination on deciding the best way forward.

It is believed that the proposed weekly budget for the season has been cut from €20,000 to €9,000, but Brown said that that wasn't an issue in itself.

Board members Joe Casey and Andrew Byrne, nephew of owner Ollie Byrne, have assumed charge of the club.