Westport United FC confirms the appointment of Michael Horan as the manager of the club's Premier Division team.
Michael Horan has been the caretaker manager of the team since the departure of Joe Kelly last autumn and following the integration of players from the C team from last season into the squad, the team, have reached the fourth round of the Connaught Cup, surpassing their own expectations in the competition.
Mr Horan, who has managed underage teams and the C team over the last eight years, brings a lot of wealth of experience to the dressing room and was an accomplished footballer for Westport United himself, winning a Connaught Cup medal back in 1987 and will be undertaking the UEFA B licenve later this year.
Alongside the B team, Mr Horan will be doubling up as the club's U.21 manager as they are entering the TF Hotel U.21 League for the first time this summer and this will give him the opportunity to assess players' progress to make the step up into adult football. Mr Horan is expected to select a backroom team that will match with the philosophy that he will employ with the squad, which will be looking to promote players to aspire towards first team football and this will see Michael Horan working very closely with First Team manager, Kevin McNamara.
Reacting to his appointment as the Premier Division Team manager, Mr Horan said 'My ambition and vision for both the U.21 and Junior reserve squads is to unify the adult teams in the club, to harness the emerging youth talent coming through the club, and to create a clear pathway for all suitable players towards first team football, and in doing so strive to improve the quality and enjoyment of football for the players'.
Club Chairman, Stephen Duffy said ' I'm delighted that Michael Horan has accepted the Premier League manager's job for the coming season. Michael has done a great job with a young Junior C team last year, playing an exciting brand of football, and brought them to a cup final, losing out to our Junior B team eventually in the decider. He agreed to manage the Premier League team in this year's Connaught Cup, and has impressively guided them through the first two rounds of the competition with a home tie awaiting them next weekend. Michael has done great work with Westport United youths down through the years, along with managing Mayo youth teams and also winning a trophy with the Mayo U.14's at the Kennedy Cup in 2016. He currently holds a UEFA C licence on his coaching education CV, and is enrolled with the FAI to do his UEFA B licence in April. I'd wish Michael and his team all the very best going forward'.
Michael's first game as official manager of the Premier Division team takes place this Sunday as Westport United B hosts Corrib Rangers in United Park at 2:00 and we wish Michael, his backroom team and the squad the very best of luck in the season ahead.
