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Slideshow: Meet the Airtricity League gaffers for 2012

It’s been a long winter and there are a few new faces to get used to. So don’t waste any more time in getting to know the gaffer.
8.05am, 2 Mar 2012
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IT’S THE AIRTRICITY League’s big kick off tonight so it’s about time you were cordially introduced to the men who have been plotting a route through this season.

While the player transfer merry-go-round was whizzing by, there was a slightly slower one running simultaneously for the managers.

We’ve lost some familiar faces from some of the biggest jobs in Irish soccer.

To name but a few; Paul Cook has returned across the water to coach Accrington Stanley, Michael O’Neill has taken up his national duty with Northern Ireland and Pat Fenlon took the reins with Hibernian.

But forget about who used to do what. It’s all about the here and now.

So, right now, here are your 2012 Airtricity League managers.

Slideshow: Meet the Airtricity League gaffers for 2012
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  • The Gaffers.

    Aaron Callaghan replaces the long-standing Pat Fenlon as Bohemians' boss. With the financial worries around Dalymount, O'Callaghan has had to rebuild his senior squad almost from scratch. Bohs must allow plenty of time for O'Callaghan to lay firm foundations.Source: ©INPHO/Donall Farmer

  • The Gaffers.

    This is Pat Devlin (on the right). He returned to Bray midway through the 2010 season and impressively stabilised a club which appeared certain to be relegated. Last season they finished in mid-table, nine points behind fifth- placed Bohemians.Source: ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan

  • The Gaffers.

    Tommy Dunne was, quite literally, out in the cold in terms of irish management circles. He spent three years coaching TP Seinäjoki in Finland before heading Leeside to assist Paul Doolin. A year later, he was put in charge of Cork City and led them to the First Division title in his second season. 2012 will mark stage two in his bid to return the Rebels to their former glory.Source: ©INPHO/Donall Farmer

  • The Gaffers.

    At the time of his appointment last season, Mick Cook was the sixth manager of Drogheda United in nine months. One year on, despite finishing second bottom, there is some stability at Hunky Dorys Park.Source: ©INPHO/Donall Farmer

  • The Gaffers.

    Ask anybody to name an Airtricity League manager and Roddy Collins is the one name that is bound to come up. Collins is one of the games charismatic figures and has worked as a manager for 17 years. Success has not always been a close ally, but there is no doubt he is a man to turn to if you want the basics done right. This will be his second season in charge of Monaghan United having guided them to promotion from Division One on a shoestring budget last year.Source: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

  • The Gaffers.

    Stephen Kenny has been one of the finest managers to grace the League if Ireland in the last decade, so his name was an obvious choice for Shamrock Rovers when Michael O'Neill was offered the big job up North. Aged just 27 when he began work at Longford Town, he is perhaps best known for his time with Derry City where he won six major trophies. This season, a league title is the minimum requirement for Rovers.Source: ©INPHO/James Crombie

  • The Gaffers.

    Ian Baraclough had to see off a number of candidates to be named boss at Sligo Rovers. Baraclough, 41, was sacked from his first role at Scunthorpe United almost a year ago and is no doubt hungry to get back and prove his worth.Source: Tony Marshall/EMPICS Sport

  • The Gaffers.

    Martin Russell has been coach of UCD since 2009 and impressed many with the style of play he has brought to the students. Previously he was assistant manager to Pete Mahon at St Patrick's Athletic.Source: ©INPHO/Donall Farmer

  • The Gaffers.

    Liam Buckley replaces Pete Mahon at St Patricks Athletic. Buckley's last managerial role was with the ill-fated Sporting Fingal.

  • The Gaffers.

    New Dundalk boss Sean McCaffrey will be most familiar from his time coaching the Republic of Ireland at youth level.

  • The Gaffers.

    Derry manager, Declan Devine, has waited patiently in the wings for this chance. For the best part of the last decade he has been assistant to Stephen Kenny. Not only with the Candystripes, he also followed Kenny to Dunfermline for his unsuccessful tilt at the SPL. Devine's first task has been to rebuild a side which last season boasted the likes of Eamon Zayed and James McClean.

  • The Gaffers.

    Alan Matthews joined Shelbourne midway through the 2010 season and has helped them make a welcome return to the Premier Division in 2012. Matthews began his managerial career at Longford Town where he spent five years and helped bring the first major trophies, including two FAI Cups, to Flancare Park.

‘Players can do a McClean’ – Derry boss Declan Devine

Interview: A quick Q&A session with Sligo Rovers striker Mark Quigley

Author
Sean Farrell
Sean@The42.ie
@seanfarrell_42
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