Paul Doolin back in management again with Portadown

Paul Doolin has returned to management again, taking over at Irish League side Portadown.

The vastly experienced manager spent over five years out of senior level management until he took over at Athlone Town last August.

Ports have appointed Doolin on an interim basis until the end of the season.

His short-term stint at Town ended when they finished seventh in the First Division, four points off the play-offs, with Doolin citing the travelling demands of Dublin to Athlone as a major factor in his decision not to continue.

Doolin also managed UCD, Cork City and Drogheda United, winning a league and FAI Cup with the Boynesiders.

He spent six years as the Republic of Ireland Under-19 manager until 2016.

Portadown are struggling in the top flight in Northern Ireland, sitting second from bottom in the table and face a fight to avoid the drop.

The club that finishes bottom of the Premiership is automatically relegated to the Northern Ireland Championship, with the team in 11th forced to contest a relegation play-off.

The 58-year-old had two spells as a player at Portadown from 1990 to 1991 and then again from 1994 to 1995, making 99 appearances for the club.

Portadown director of football Peter Hunniford said: "As a board of directors, Paul Doolin is someone who we have rated highly for quite some time.

"He has played at the highest level in both the Irish League and the League of Ireland before moving into management where he was been highly successful at both club and international level. We are looking forward to working with him."