Pat Scully
Encyclopedia
Patrick Joseph "Pat" Scully (born 23 June 1970 in Dublin) is an Irish
football manager, currently in charge of Limerick
in the League of Ireland
. An accomplished central defender
during his playing days, Scully started his career in England, gaining one international cap, two B caps, one U23 cap and nine U21 caps for the Republic of Ireland
during this spell before returning to Ireland.
, where he was part of the youth team that won the 1988 FA Youth Cup
. However, he played many games for Arsenal's first team, and after loan spells at Preston North End
and Northampton Town
he slotted into the back four in place of Tony Adams who was unable to fulfill his duties on many occasions due to excessive alcohol consumption. Scully however felt that his career would be better served shoring up the defence at Southend United and duely completed a move to the Essex outfit in 1988 after thrashing out terms behind closed doors with the top brass. He was a regular there for three years playing for a time with Stan Collymore
, before moving to Huddersfield Town
in March 1994. A month after joining he was a member of the Huddersfield side beaten in a penalty shoot-out in the final of the Autoglass Trophy
at Wembley Stadium. He went on to become a key figure at the heart of defence in Neil Warnock's
side and helped the Terriers to promotion in the 1994/1995 season.
In 1996 he moved back to Ireland to join Shelbourne
. Under his captaincy, as well as his defensive abilities, Scully was a constant threat from set pieces and would often score crucial goals for Shelbourne.
Scoring 11 league goals the following season he was the Player of the Month in September 1997 and ended the season as the PFAI Player of the Year in 1997/98.
He signed for Shamrock Rovers in June 2001. He made his debut at Bray on the 12th of August and scored his first goal against Dundalk on 18 January 2002. Scully captained Rovers during that season, when the club played in Richmond Park
. He formed a partnership in defence with Terry Palmer
, the Rovers central defender who would later captain the club. Scully led Rovers to the FAI Cup
final that season, although he could not prevent Derry City
winning the competition with a 1–0 win.
He was then placed on the transfer list after a difference of opinion with manager Liam Buckley
. His last game was in Longford on the 23rd of November.
He made two appearances in European competition for the Hoops.
After two goals in 55 total appearances Scully moved to Drogheda United. He made his debut against Rovers on 11 April 2003 and played for one season before retiring.
He was Player of the Year at Southend, Huddersfield and at Shelbourne. Pat Scully has now moved into driving taxi cabs around Dublin town since hanging up his managerial boots.
Although the season did not begin well for Scully and Kilkenny, the side performed excellently during the second half of the season, eventually just missing out on a place in the promotion play-off.
Scully's performance as manager of Kilkenny attracted the interest of Shamrock Rovers
, who had undergone massive internal restructuring since Scully's playing days. Gone were the old board of directors, to be replaced by the 400 Club, a supporter's consortium who had saved the club from going under.
The 400 Club sacked Rovers manager Roddy Collins
at the end of the 2005 season, which ended with the club being relegated for the first time in their history. Shortly after sacking Collins, Rovers approached Scully and asked him to take over the club.
Scully was installed as Rovers manager and immediately began reshaping the playing squad. He brought several players with him from Kilkenny, with many others signing from Kildare County
and other First Division clubs.
The new-look Shamrock Rovers began their first ever season in the First Division with a late 2–1 win over Dundalk
, and from there never looked back. The club eventually won the First Division title on the last day of the season, with a 1–1 away draw to Cobh Ramblers
.
Scully earned himself a reputation as the best up-and-coming manager in Ireland by winning the First Division Trophy at his first attempt. Rovers finished the 2007 season in 5th position. Unfortunately the young team faded badly in the final stretch and European football was missed out on but despite this it was a good overall season with many positives.
His contract with Shamrock Rovers was terminated by mutual consent on the 14 October 2008. The clubtext quoted "Shamrock Rovers and Pat Scully have mutually agreed to part company with immediate effect. The club is thankful to Pat for what he achieved and wish him well."
On the 25th of March 2009, League of Ireland first division side Limerick F.C.
announced that Scully was to take over the vaccant managerial role on shannonside. Scully said: "Having met the board, I was very impressed with their plans for the future of Limerick FC and I look forward to playing my part as manager in the future success of the club."
The biggest controversy of his as of yet short managerial career arose out of a television interview, however. While appearing as an analyst on TV3
's Eircom League Weekly
in August 2006, Scully observed that the league's rulebook needed to be tightened up in order to stop football matters ending up before the courts. The FAI
did not take kindly to this criticism and fined Scully €5,000, suspending all but €2,000. Scully briefly threatened to walk away from football, but this was averted when the Rovers board of directors offered to pay the fine on his behalf.
The 2008 season also saw several problems. In the month of June manager and player relations were at a low. Scully is rumoured to have clashed with Barry Murphy
, Ger O'Brien
and Stephen Rice due to their involvement with the Republic of Ireland
Under 23 squad. This led to Rice handing in a transfer list and ultimately being demoted to the Under 21 squad. Rice returned for a match with St. Patricks Athletic on 21 July 2008.
His relationship with other squad members was also questioned following disputes with Dessie Baker
and Barry Ferguson
during the same period.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
football manager, currently in charge of Limerick
Limerick F.C.
Limerick Football Club is an association football club based in Limerick, Ireland. The club currently play in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The first Limerick FC was founded in 1937 and has had a number of guises through its history, known at different times as Limerick FC, Limerick...
in the League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
. An accomplished central defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
during his playing days, Scully started his career in England, gaining one international cap, two B caps, one U23 cap and nine U21 caps for the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
during this spell before returning to Ireland.
Playing career
As a player, he started his career at ArsenalArsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, where he was part of the youth team that won the 1988 FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
. However, he played many games for Arsenal's first team, and after loan spells at Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
and Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
he slotted into the back four in place of Tony Adams who was unable to fulfill his duties on many occasions due to excessive alcohol consumption. Scully however felt that his career would be better served shoring up the defence at Southend United and duely completed a move to the Essex outfit in 1988 after thrashing out terms behind closed doors with the top brass. He was a regular there for three years playing for a time with Stan Collymore
Stan Collymore
Stanley Victor "Stan" Collymore is an English football pundit and former footballer, who played from 1990 until 2001. He held the British transfer record when he moved from Nottingham Forest to Liverpool for £8.5 million in 1995 and was capped three times at senior level by the England...
, before moving to Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
in March 1994. A month after joining he was a member of the Huddersfield side beaten in a penalty shoot-out in the final of the Autoglass Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
at Wembley Stadium. He went on to become a key figure at the heart of defence in Neil Warnock's
Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock is an English former footballer who is currently manager of English Premier League club Queens Park Rangers....
side and helped the Terriers to promotion in the 1994/1995 season.
In 1996 he moved back to Ireland to join Shelbourne
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
. Under his captaincy, as well as his defensive abilities, Scully was a constant threat from set pieces and would often score crucial goals for Shelbourne.
Scoring 11 league goals the following season he was the Player of the Month in September 1997 and ended the season as the PFAI Player of the Year in 1997/98.
He signed for Shamrock Rovers in June 2001. He made his debut at Bray on the 12th of August and scored his first goal against Dundalk on 18 January 2002. Scully captained Rovers during that season, when the club played in Richmond Park
Richmond Park (football ground)
Richmond Park is a football stadium in Dublin, Ireland. It is the home ground for Irish football team St. Patricks Athletic of the League of Ireland. It is situated in the Dublin suburb of Inchicore...
. He formed a partnership in defence with Terry Palmer
Terry Palmer
Terry Palmer is a retired Irish soccer player who played in the League of Ireland during the 1990s and 2000s.He made his University College Dublin A.F.C. debut on 27 January 1991 and played for the club for seven seasons...
, the Rovers central defender who would later captain the club. Scully led Rovers to the FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
final that season, although he could not prevent Derry City
Derry City F.C.
Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
winning the competition with a 1–0 win.
He was then placed on the transfer list after a difference of opinion with manager Liam Buckley
Liam Buckley
Liam Buckley , is an Irish former professional football player and manager.-Playing career:Liam began his League of Ireland career with Shelbourne F.C. and signed for Shamrock Rovers as a full time player in the 1979 close season...
. His last game was in Longford on the 23rd of November.
He made two appearances in European competition for the Hoops.
After two goals in 55 total appearances Scully moved to Drogheda United. He made his debut against Rovers on 11 April 2003 and played for one season before retiring.
He was Player of the Year at Southend, Huddersfield and at Shelbourne. Pat Scully has now moved into driving taxi cabs around Dublin town since hanging up his managerial boots.
Managerial career
He was eager to stay in the game, however, and was offered a chance by Kilkenny City to begin his managerial career. Scully took control of the unfashionable First Division club before the 2005 season.Although the season did not begin well for Scully and Kilkenny, the side performed excellently during the second half of the season, eventually just missing out on a place in the promotion play-off.
Scully's performance as manager of Kilkenny attracted the interest of Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
, who had undergone massive internal restructuring since Scully's playing days. Gone were the old board of directors, to be replaced by the 400 Club, a supporter's consortium who had saved the club from going under.
The 400 Club sacked Rovers manager Roddy Collins
Roddy Collins
Roderick 'Roddy' Collins , is a Irish former professional football player and current manager of Monaghan United. He has also worked as a television pundit, and is the brother of acclaimed former boxer, Steve Collins....
at the end of the 2005 season, which ended with the club being relegated for the first time in their history. Shortly after sacking Collins, Rovers approached Scully and asked him to take over the club.
Scully was installed as Rovers manager and immediately began reshaping the playing squad. He brought several players with him from Kilkenny, with many others signing from Kildare County
Kildare County F.C.
Kildare County F.C. was an Irish football club that played in the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 2002, hailed from Newbridge, County Kildare and played their home matches at Station Road. Their club colours were white and black.- 2001/2002 :...
and other First Division clubs.
The new-look Shamrock Rovers began their first ever season in the First Division with a late 2–1 win over Dundalk
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
, and from there never looked back. The club eventually won the First Division title on the last day of the season, with a 1–1 away draw to Cobh Ramblers
Cobh Ramblers F.C.
Cobh Ramblers Football Club . is an Irish football club playing in the A Championship, the third tier of Irish football. The club, founded in 1922 and elected to the league in 1985, hails from Cobh, County Cork and play their home matches at St. Colman's Park...
.
Scully earned himself a reputation as the best up-and-coming manager in Ireland by winning the First Division Trophy at his first attempt. Rovers finished the 2007 season in 5th position. Unfortunately the young team faded badly in the final stretch and European football was missed out on but despite this it was a good overall season with many positives.
His contract with Shamrock Rovers was terminated by mutual consent on the 14 October 2008. The clubtext quoted "Shamrock Rovers and Pat Scully have mutually agreed to part company with immediate effect. The club is thankful to Pat for what he achieved and wish him well."
On the 25th of March 2009, League of Ireland first division side Limerick F.C.
Limerick F.C.
Limerick Football Club is an association football club based in Limerick, Ireland. The club currently play in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The first Limerick FC was founded in 1937 and has had a number of guises through its history, known at different times as Limerick FC, Limerick...
announced that Scully was to take over the vaccant managerial role on shannonside. Scully said: "Having met the board, I was very impressed with their plans for the future of Limerick FC and I look forward to playing my part as manager in the future success of the club."
Controversy
His spell in charge of Rovers was not without its controversies, however. Scully is a ruthless professional who expects his players to follow his model, both on and off the pitch. Fallings out with some Rovers players led to a cull of the squad mid-way through the 2006 season.The biggest controversy of his as of yet short managerial career arose out of a television interview, however. While appearing as an analyst on TV3
TV3 Ireland
TV3 is a free-to-air commercial television network in the Republic of Ireland. Launched on 20 September 1998 it was Ireland's first commercial broadcaster. The channel is owned by TV3 Group a subsidiary of Doughty Hanson & Co.-The TV3 Group:...
's Eircom League Weekly
Eircom League Weekly
eircom League Weekly was the name of a weekly football programme on TV3 in Ireland which ran from October 2002 to November 2007, which showed highlights from the League of Ireland. The show was presented by Trevor Welch, who was regularly accompanied by analysts Paul Osam and Pat Fenlon. The show...
in August 2006, Scully observed that the league's rulebook needed to be tightened up in order to stop football matters ending up before the courts. The FAI
Football Association of Ireland
The Football Association of Ireland is the governing body for the sport of association football in the Republic of Ireland. It should not to be confused with the Irish Football Association , which is the organising body for the sport in Northern Ireland.For the full history, statistics and records...
did not take kindly to this criticism and fined Scully €5,000, suspending all but €2,000. Scully briefly threatened to walk away from football, but this was averted when the Rovers board of directors offered to pay the fine on his behalf.
The 2008 season also saw several problems. In the month of June manager and player relations were at a low. Scully is rumoured to have clashed with Barry Murphy
Barry Murphy (footballer born 1985)
Barry Murphy is an Irish professional footballer currently playing for League of Ireland club, Bohemians.-Shamrock Rovers:...
, Ger O'Brien
Ger O'Brien
Ger O'Brien is an Irish football defender, who currently plays for Bohemians in the League of Ireland.-Biography:Ger O'Brien was signed by Eric Hannigan before the start of the 2004 season from Athlone Town. He was the first player to represent the Republic of Ireland at any level while playing...
and Stephen Rice due to their involvement with the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
Under 23 squad. This led to Rice handing in a transfer list and ultimately being demoted to the Under 21 squad. Rice returned for a match with St. Patricks Athletic on 21 July 2008.
His relationship with other squad members was also questioned following disputes with Dessie Baker
Dessie Baker
Desmond "Dessie" Baker is an Irish footballer currently playing for Leinster Senior League side Edenderry Town.- Early career :...
and Barry Ferguson
Barry Ferguson (Irish footballer)
Barry Ferguson is a former Irish professional football player and currently a development officer with the Football Association of Ireland ....
during the same period.
As a player
League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
: 1
-
- Shelbourne – 1999/2000
- FAI CupFAI CupThe Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
: 1
- Shelbourne – 2000
- PFAI Player of the Year: 1
- Shelbourne – 1997/98
- PFAI Player of the Year: 1
- Shelbourne – 1999/2000