Mark Connolly's Derry City learning curve pays FAI Cup dividends
MARK Connolly revealed he will step out of the dugout and back upstairs to his Director of Football role at Derry City Football Club after Sunday's FAI Cup Final.
The 34-year-old Monaghan man assumed the interim manager position at Brandywell Stadium on August 5th following the departure of Tiernan Lynch and has transformed the team's fortunes, winning eight of his 13 games in charge in all competitions and losing just twice!
Connolly could become only the third person to win an FAI Cup with Derry as both player and manager should he guide the Candy Stripes to victory over Waterford at the Aviva Stadium - his final fixture in charge of first team affairs.
The former City captain, who retired playing last June while at Coleraine, described his three-month tenure as interim Brandywell boss as a 'learning curve'. He regards himself as 'incredibly lucky' to have stepped into the breach and credited the players for turning around a 'difficult' season.
Despite not possessing a UEFA Pro Licence, Connolly continued in the interim role beyond the 60-day limit with the club prepared to accept the associated sanctions as he oversaw a dramatic upturn in results and performances.
Connolly revealed at the FAI Cup Final press conference at the City Hotel on Tuesday that he would vacate the role and return to oversee football operations at the club.
When asked if he would like to remain as manager of the club after the cup final, Connolly set the record straight. "No, my plan was always to come in as Director of Football.
"I was asked to help out until the end of the season. That was the plan and we still have that plan in place. If the season had been when the league finished, the plan would've been to potentially sort it out now.
"The season doesn't finish until Sunday and once that day is over the plan will still be going ahead with what we're doing but that's obviously between us and the club.
“My job was always to come in and help out as best we can and I think I helped a little bit. The boys have to take the majority of the credit. They've been incredible. For me it's been a great learning curve, but like I said, I was just in to help out as best as I can and we've done alright."
The former Wolves and Dundee United defender has been juggling his managerial duties with his Director of Football role over recent weeks and admits it's been 'a whirlwind'.
He revealed he’s been holding 'conversations' with Chairman, Philip O'Doherty and Club Director, Patrick Simpson about finding a permanent manager and those talks will resume after Sunday's final.
"We've had discussions; myself, Patrick Simpson, and Philip O'Doherty, but full focus this week is the cup final and once the final whistle goes I'm sure conversations will happen from then."
On balancing his dual roles at the club in recent weeks, Connolly said he will do whatever is required to ensure Derry keeps winning matches.
"Well I think I've been doing a few jobs which I've enjoyed. Like I said, people are saying 'well done' and [giving] pats on the back. I'm incredibly lucky to get this opportunity. At 34 years of age to retire, I had forgotten I retired six months ago, it's been such a whirlwind.
"I'm still Director of Football and interim manager, and I'll do whatever I'm asked to do. Whatever I'm needed to do I'll step in and do as best I can. At the end of the day, all that matters is this football club, this city and us winning football matches. I'll do everything I can to do that."