SOCCER: Limavady United announce successor to Paul Owens as team manager
Limavady United is delighted to announce the appointment of Sean Friars as first team manager with immediate effect. Sean played briefly for the Roesiders in 2006-2007 as a forward.
Friars has recently been a successful coach of the Institute under-20 side in his native city for the past two seasons
His distinguished playing career took him from Foyle Harps to Liverpool as a youth player, and he played briefly for Ipswich Town and Carlisle United, before returning to Northern Ireland in 2002.
Over twelve seasons he played for Derry City (with whom he won an FAI Cup medal in 2002), Finn Harps, Cliftonville, Newry City, and Dungannon Swifts- where he played alongside his brother Emmet-before retiring in 2014. International honours also accrued during his spell as a cross channel player, as he remains the most capped player in the history of the Northern Ireland Under-21 side, winning 21 caps between 1998 and 2001, including several as captain.
Sean will bring another former United player, Ryan McCreadie, as his first team coach.
Club chairman David Young said "When Paul Owens decided to move to Coleraine, we knew we had big boots to fill, and so the committee has moved quickly to appoint a quality replacement. The response to our advertisement has frankly amazed me, with a number of candidates of extremely high quality applying for the job, including professional coaches from Spain and Portugal.
"Every one of the applicants that we short listed could have done a capable job for the club. However, after interviewing five excellent candidates this week, we have decided that Sean is the man to take us forward next season.
"He will be meeting last season's playing squad this week, and we expect that he will bring in several quality additions to strengthen the squad in the coming days. After the successes of Paul's team in the Premier Intermediate League, last season was all about consolidation of our position as a senior club, which was duly achieved, but we are only too aware that the forthcoming campaign will be the most competitive in Championship history, with Larne, Portadown, Ballinamallard United and Carrick Rangers all presenting major challenges. Standing still is not an option.
"With this appointment, we are confident that Limavady United will be capable of challenging these teams. In recent seasons football in the north west has enjoyed great success, and we fully intend to be in the vanguard of this exciting time for the local game. We know that our supporters and sponsors will be as thrilled as we are with Sean's arrival, and wish him every success"