It’s been 12 years since Paul Doolin was directly involved in the League of Ireland.
Tonight, when the 58-year-old Dubliner returns to management with Athlone Town following his appointment on Tuesday, it may feellike it’s the same as it ever was.
In the opposite dugout at Lissywollen will be Galway United boss John Caulfield, whom he played against many times in the 1980s and 90s.
Doolin is delighted to be back at the coalface of the domestic game having felt he had been unfairly overlooked for jobs in recent years.
Leaving Cork City in 2009, Doolin went on to enjoy a successful spell with Ireland Under-19s that included reaching the semi-final ofthe European Championship in 2011.
After a multi-medalled playing career with Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers, Derry City and Shelbourne, along with Portadownin the Irish League, Doolin served his managerial apprenticeship with UCD.
He moved on to bring huge success to Drogheda United, leading them to their first silverware with the FAI Cup in 2005 and a league title two years later.
In a season when Irish clubs have done so well in Europe, Doolin’s Drogheda were the width of a post from beating Dinamo Kiev who went on to make the groups stages of the 2008/09 Champions League.
“When I got the call on Tuesday it was the last thing on my mind,” said Doolin. “I’m delighted to get an opportunity because it’s not as if I’vebeen inundated with calls.
“I did apply for a few jobs and didn’t even get a reply which I think was disrespectful.
“Clubs can appoint who they want. I just feel that good coaches out there, with so much experience and knowledge and proven track records – and I’m not talking about myself – have just been left.
“I started at UCD. A lot of managers now have started at top clubs. I wasn’t blessed with that despite having had such a good playing career. That’s the way it was in those days.
“So it's not beyond me but if I don’t think I can do anything I won’t be spinning any yarns to save myself. I think there is an awful lot of it going on. Some of them are really lucky to still be in jobs in my opinion.
“There are a lot of people thinking that they are reinventing the wheel.
“The league has moved on in terms of facilities and pitches but it’s still the same in that you play on a pitch with a ball and it’s 11 v 11.”
After a terrific start which saw them top of the table for four weeks in April, Athlone are in freefall with just one win in their last 10 games as they’ve dropped eight points off the play-off places.
They’ve conceded 13 goals in their last four games, last Friday’s 6-0 defeat at UCD bringing an end to Adrian Carberry’s time in charge.
“It will be tough,” said Doolin. “We’ve eight games left and hopefully we can do something between now and the end of the season.
“I’m sure the players know themselves that we should be a little bit closer to the play-offs. There won’t be any time to change anything dramatically, apart from tightening up and picking up a few results.”
