TIM-ELY BOOST
TIM Clancy will start putting together his Drogheda United squad for 2019 in the coming days after deciding to stay despite interest from First Division rivals Shelbourne. The 34-year-old Trim native looked like he might be on his way out of United Park when he met with representatives of the Tolka Park club with a view to succeeding Owen Heary as their manager.
Following a change of ownership, there was potential to work with a bigger budget at Shelbourne, who Drogheda defeated in the play-offs before bowing out to Finn Harps at the next stage.
However, it seems that Clancy has adopted the view that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side and the ambitious young manager will now make a second attempt to lead the Boynesiders back to the top flight. He wasn’t available for comment yesterday (Monday), but Drogs chairman Fiachra Kierans said: ‘Despite various announcements of him signing a contract with Shels, we were always confident Tim would stay, but we had to allow due process to take place and allowed him the courtesy of having a meeting with Shelbourne.
‘It’s not always about money. We have good training facilities and a good underage structure and that adds to the package. It’s a verbal agreement we have, but if Tim wants to have a contract in writing then he can have one.
‘I’m very happy that he is staying and I think he’s made the right decision.’
Kierans revealed that some extra funds would be available to the manager in the 2019 season.
‘Tim knows what he has to work with. He worked extremely well within the budget this year and next year will be a bit more.
‘It will still be a First Division budget, but not quite as tight. Dealing with legacy payments will free up a bit more and there are FAI grants coming through for underage structures which will lessen the pressure on that area.
‘The priority for him will be to secure who he wants out of the current squad and then see what areas we are light in.
‘There will be a bit of natural wastage, but I think there will be [only] a couple of players coming in and a couple going out.’
Meanwhile, Drogheda’s top scorer of 2018 Sean Brennan has been voted as their Player of the Year, after the Rathmullen native was also named in the PFAI First Division Team of the Year selection.