LEAGUE OF IRELAND MANAGERIAL NEWS:DESPITE LEADING Cork City to Setanta Sports Cup success in what was the most turbulent of seasons for the club, Alan Mathews was yesterday sacked by Cork City owner Tom Coughlan who suggested financial motives were behind the move.
Mathews took over at Turner's Cross a year ago when he replaced Damien Richardson who, as it happens, had been replaced by the club's previous owners, Arkaga, having just overseen an FAI Cup victory against Mathews' then charges, Longford Town.
The Dubliner initially sought to consolidate a strong squad, many of whom were out of contract, while making a couple of important additions, most notably David Mooney, who subsequently moved on to Reading.
When Arkaga suddenly stopped funding the club's day-to-day operations, Cork City suffered a major crisis and were forced into examinership. During this period several players departed, Mathews lost the bulk of his backroom staff and most of those who stayed received only a small portion of their wages. Still, the team managed to perform reasonably strongly and would have qualified for Europe but for the 10 points that were deducted over the financial difficulties.
In a somewhat oddly worded statement yesterday, Coughlan was quoted as thanking Mathews for his efforts and wishing him all the best in the wake of the club having "suspended discussions and withdrawn all recent offers," to the manager in relation to a new contract.
Curiously, though, there was no mention of the fact he still had two years remaining on his contract which is believed to be worth around €150,000 per annum.
Mathews was understandably more anxious to dwell on this aspect of the situation when he reacted to the news yesterday afternoon.
"I'm absolutely devastated," he said. "With two years remaining on my contract, I was looking forward to fulfilling what I thought was the terrific potential of one of the best group of players I had the pleasure to work with. But the opportunity has been denied to me.
"I would like to thank the players, staff and terrific supporters of Cork City who made my life a pleasure for the last 12 months. My time in Cork was a very enjoyable experience and myself, my wife and children were very warmly received. I hope the club can move on from this.
"I am," he concluded, "reluctant to say any more as the matter is in the hands of my solicitor."
Cork's move comes in the week Shamrock Rovers are widely expected to unveil former Northern Ireland international Michael O'Neill as their manager.
The 39-year-old, who had spells as a player with Hibernian, Dundee United and Wigan Athletic - along with quite a few others - is manager of Scottish second division outfit Brechin City, who are second in the table.
He is well regarded in Scotland, having done well in his two years with the club and was recently targeted by Dundee as a candidate for their manager's position. In addition to coaching badges, he also has a number of financial qualifications.
Galway United are still waiting to hear from Jeff Kenna before deciding what to do about the managerial vacancy at Terryland Park. The club are hoping the former international will return but don't expect to know for another couple of weeks what his intentions are.
Cobh Ramblers, meanwhile, have an egm scheduled for this weekend to decide how best to move the club forward after their recent relegation.
Drogheda United took another significant step towards reaching their target of raising €100,000 ahead of Friday's return to the High Court when a supporters' match and auction generated around €10,000 on Monday night.
The club's supporters have now come up with more than €90,000 in less than a week and club chairman Vincent Hoey remains optimistic the tally will be into six figures by tomorrow night.
One of the club's stars of the last couple of years, Graham Gartland, is reportedly the subject of interest from Glasgow Rangers. Several of last year's players have been offered deals in Azerbaijan, with John Tambouras having already signed up with Neftchi Baku.
And Derry City have confirmed the club made a loss of around €100,000 during the 2007 season. It was a difficult year, with Pat Fenlon departing mid-season to be replaced by Peter Hutton (temporarily) and then John Robertson. The accounts for the season just ended are to be published at an egm early in the new year.
Former Derry director Jim Roddy, meanwhile, is to be appointed as chief executive at Bohemians.
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