Six weeks after Martin Russell left the club, Limerick yesterday announced Neil McDonald as their new manager.
The Englishman's most recent job was as Mike Phelan's assistant at Hull. He also previously worked under Sam Allardyce at Bolton, Blackburn and West Ham. McDonald has also managed both Carlisle and Blackpool.
Limerick, coincidentally, is also the club where Allardyce started his managerial career in the early 90s.
It seems McDonald was far from Limerick's first choice to succeed Martin Russell.
The Irish Independent's Daniel McDonnell reports today that the club's first choice was, in fact, Roy Keane.
Limerick were apparently willing to make Keane the best paid manager in the League by offering him €250,000 a year. That could have meant a severe pay cut for Keane who reportedly earns €500,000 a year as Martin O'Neill's assistant.
The Corkman was approached back in early April, shortly after the departure of Russell, but the audacious move did not bear fruit.
Keane was also recently linked with a position in Australian football. The 45-year-old was reportedly 'in strong consideration' to be offered the post of Melbourne City manager.
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