Brian Gartland joins St Patrick's Athletic as assistant coach to Stephen Kenny

St Patrick's Athletic have confirmed the appointment of ex-Dundalk captain Brian Gartland as assistant coach to Stephen Kenny.

Gartland was one of Kenny's most important players when the former Republic of Ireland manager dominated the League of Ireland with Dundalk during the mid-2010s, and the pair have now been reunited at Richmond Park.

After retiring from playing at the end of the 2022 season, Gartland spent 18 months as head of football operations with the Lilywhites, and took charge of the first team for three matches earlier this season, bridging the gap between the sacking of Stephen O'Donnell and the appointment of Noel King.

Following that brief spell as interim manager, Gartland ended his decade-long association with Dundalk last month.

"It feels great to have joined St Pat's and I'm really excited for the challenge ahead," Gartland tod the Saints website.

"I've had a relationship with Stephen Kenny that goes back years and we were very successful together under his guidance. We get on well and always keep in contact and talk about the game.

"The move to St Pat's came to fruition over the last week or so, we met and talked two or three times and we thought it was the right thing for me the join the coaching staff.

"I'm joining a really talented management team, I've worked under Stephen for a number of years and played and coached against St Pat's teams that Sean O'Connor and Pat Jennings have been involved in, they are both really good on the game and at their jobs, they'll be really good to work with."

Kenny, who joined the Saints on a five-year deal last month, said: "Brian has been immersed in the League of Ireland for the last 15 years or so, he's got a lot of experience, he's a passionate individual, he's very