Former Dundalk winger McDermott signs for Salford City

Paul Scholes and Philip Neville in the dug out for Salford City last weekend

Donal McDermott might have left Oriel Park without much fanfare at the end of last season but don’t be surprised to see his name popping up in the near future.

The winger, who joined the club last summer and featured sparingly from the bench as Dundalk won the title, was not retained by Stephen Kenny at the end of last season and was not a part of the club’s victory parade.

However, the former Manchester City youth – who hails from Co Meath – has now opted to try his luck across the water again with the Manchester-based, Salford City FC.

While the Evo-Stik First Division North outfit are hardly a household name, they could well be in years to come because of their new owners.

Manchester Utd’s famous Class of 92 took over the club last year with Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville taking over at the start of the current English league season.

Last September a 50% stake in the club was also sold to Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim with the club aiming to be in the Championship within 15 years.

While that’s a lofty target, the club have been making headlines of late with both Scholes and Phil Neville pictured in the dug out as recently as last Saturday for Salford’s 2-1 victory over Kendal Town.

While their appearance in the dug out was only temporary following the decision to sack the management team of Phil Power and Dave Chadwick, it won’t be a surprise to see them at more matches in the future.

Amongst the players that McDermott will be linking up with include former Manchester Utd youth Danny Webber.

Staunton set for Man Utd coaching role

Steve Staunton

Dundalk’s Steve Staunton could be in line for a return to coaching with Manchester United.

The former Liverpool and Aston Villa star is being lined up for a job on David Moyes’ coaching staff for next season. It is anticipated that the former Ireland manager will take the place of Ryan Giggs on the staff at Old Trafford, with the veteran midfielder set to walk away from the game at the end of the season after an alleged dispute with Moyes.

Staunton has been out of the game since losing his scouting role at Sunderland following the appointment of Paolo Di Canio as manager last year.

While spells with Ireland and Darlington didn’t yield the results he would have wanted, he is still a hugely respected figure in the game having been part of the last Liverpool side to win the league title in 1990 and having captained his country in the 2002 World Cup.

Moyes knows Staunton from his spell at Everton, with the pair having become close having met off the field in Liverpool.

Alex Ferguson once managed in Dundalk

The programme from the Dundalk v Manchester Utd match in 1994

It seems that everyone today is talking about Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. Did you know though that he once managed at Oriel Park?

Ferguson brought his Man Utd side to Dundalk for a pre-season friendly back in 1994 with the Red Devils coming out on top 4-2 on July 30^th that year in what was Gino Lawless’ testimonial match.

The game was attended by 4,500 supporters with Mark Hughes scoring a brace and Ryan Giggs and Paul Ince also getting on the scoresheet. From a Dundalk perspective, the game was probably best remembered for goalkeeper Eddie Van Boxtel’s penalty save from Eric Cantona.

Eddie Van Boxtel saves Eric Cantona’s penalty

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