Ex-Dundalk boss: ‘It was a bit of a dream job’

A former Cork City manager is in demand for his advice on how to move from the Championship to the Championship.

John Corrigan was at the centre of Dundalk’s relegation battle last season and his latest stint as boss has been nothing short of extraordinary.

It has been a dream role for him to have a say on the direction of the club and his role has been to guide the club through its difficult times.

He is now one of the biggest names in the club’s history with a contract which runs until the end of the 2020-21 season and with Dundalk already having been relegated once before.

His influence at Dundalk is being felt on the pitch as well with his appointment as head of the FAI, and it was the Irishman’s role in the recent signing of former Dundalk boss Kevin Sheedy which saw the former club land the 23-year-old winger.

Dundek were not the only club to make a move for the England international.

Former Liverpool defender Steven Gerrard has also joined Dundalk and has impressed in his first season at the club, having joined in January after spending the previous two seasons on loan at Liverpool.

It was not an easy decision for Sheedy who was sacked by Dundalk on July 4 and he was expected to depart for a new club, but he was keen to stay and remain in charge of the squad, which is now set to see him take charge of another campaign.

His appointment was welcomed by the player who is a long-time friend of Sheedy and was hoping that he would be part of the plans when he left the club.

He said: “He has been really good to me and I have seen the way he has been working with us.

I feel he is really passionate about the club as well.”

He is a very good person and a really good lad and he is a great manager, a great guy.

He has a good personality and I hope he keeps coming and continues to work with us.

“Former Dundalk midfielder Paul McGowan, now at West Bromwich Albion, is also another player to have come through the ranks at Dundack and he will make his debut for the club in the FA Cup clash against the Blades on Saturday.

Gowan said:”I have played with Paul on the wing before so I have known him for a long time and he has a very nice touch, a very quick touch.”

We had a chat about it and he said it was a good move and I am really looking forward to getting out there and playing for Dundalk.”

The midfielder said that he feels that he has matured under the guidance of Shealey.

“It is a bit tough because it is new to me but I am just looking forward and trying to be myself and try to make sure I can help the team,” McGowan said.

“I know he is someone who will help me out and I want to play for Dundack.”

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