SOCCER: Liam Buckley was confirmed by Shamrock Rovers as the club's new manager yesterday when chairman Joe Colwell announced that the 42-year-old was moving from Athlone Town on a three-year contract.

Buckley, a double winner with Rovers in his playing days who subsequently led St Patrick's to the title as manager in 1999, said he was delighted to be taking on "the biggest job in Irish football," while expressing some regret about leaving St Mel's Park.

While there are apparently no funds available to him to buy players, Buckley said that he was determined to maintain the improvement shown by Rovers over the past couple of seasons under Damien Richardson.

"I realise the expectations that are facing me and I'm going to do my best to keep the club moving up," he said. "There's a good squad here, a lot of talent and with a bit of luck the club could have won three trophies this season. My hope is to build on that in the future."

Colwell said that he had been considering Buckley's appointment for some time, remarking that "he's enthusiastic and I've no doubts that he'll be a success".

He added that in the event the new man identified any players that he was particularly anxious to bring to the club, he would do everything he could to raise the required finance.

Buckley's appointment looks to make it more likely that Dermot Keely will become Kildare County's first manager over the coming weeks. John Toal, meanwhile, is expected to be appointed as manager of Dublin City where he will replace John McDonnell who, in turn, is set to be unveiled today as second in command at Shelbourne to new player-manager Pat Fenlon.

Last season's Eircom Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland Personality of the Year Award winner, Glen Crowe, is on the short list for this year's award which will be announced in Dublin this evening.

Crowe's 31 goals for Bohemians earned him his place in a list that also includes Liam Coyle, Paul Doolin, Harry McCue, Paul Osam and Garry Haylock.