BRIAN GARTLAND has joined former boss Stephen Kenny at St Pat’s.
Kenny had yet to bring in a no 2 since taking over at Richmond Park last month, although he did add his former Dundalk fitness coach Graham Byrne to his staff.
He spoke to his former Derry City defender Steven Gray about coming on board but it is understood he is remaining in his position at Shamrock Rovers’ Academy.
And now Gartland – a key player in his successful Dundalk side – has come in to work alongside him.
Kenny said: “Brian has been immersed in the League of Ireland for the last 15 year or so, he’s got a lot of experience.
“He’s a passionate individual, he’s very committed, he’s a clear thinker on the game.
“I feel Brian is a natural coach and his skillset will compliment Assistant Coach Sean O’Connor, Goalkeeping Coach Pat Jennings, and the rest of the support staff to help the players to continue to improve and reach their potential.”
The former centre-half’s career took off after he moved to Oriel Park in the summer of 2013.
He won five league titles and the FAI Cup and League Cup three times each, as well as twice reaching the group stages of the Europa League.
After hanging up his boots at the end of the 2022 season, he was appointed as Dundalk’s Head of Football Operations.
When Stephen O’Donnell was sacked following a poor start to this campaign, he stepped into the breach as caretaker boss.
And he remained on the coaching staff following the appointment of Noel King as manager.
However, he left following a row with club owner Brian Ainscough with King’s reign subsequently ending after just four matches for medical reasons.
Gartland added: “It feels great to have joined St Pat’s and I’m really excited for the challenge ahead.
“I’ve had a relationship with Stephen Kenny that goes back years and we were very successful together under his guidance.
“We get on well and always keep in contact and talk about the game.
“The move to St Pat’s came to fruition over the last week or so, we met and talked two or three times and we thought it was the right thing for me the join the coaching staff.
“I’ve worked under Stephen for a number of years and played and coached against St Pat’s teams that Sean O’Connor and Pat Jennings have been involved in.
“They are both really good on the game and at their jobs, they’ll be really good to work with.
“Graham Byrne (Head of Performance) and Sam Rice (Head of Medical) are here too who I’ve worked with before and get on great with so that’s a big factor.
“I’m coming to a club with ambitions to do well, and ambition is the driver in everything I do. Stephen is an ambitious manager and if he’s coming back into it at St Pat’s, that’s for a reason.
“You can see the crowds here in Inchicore at every game and the work the club are doing, the training facilities, the squad, everything is being pushed to move forward and that’s a massive factor in me coming here.”
Kenny is expected to oversee a major shake-up in the summer transfer window.
He is unhappy with the squad he inherited from Jon Daly who was sacked last month.
Daly was swiftly appointed as Dundalk boss and he too is looking for an assistant.
Graham Gartland was in the frame to join him at the Lilywhite but, like Gray, he too will remain with Rovers Academy.