Pat Fenlon accepted the chance to become Shamrock Rovers manager because it gave him the opportunity to build a League of Ireland force from a secure base but his immediate priority is to lay the foundations for an unlikely title charge.

The Dubliner, a childhood Rovers fan, will be in the dugout at Tallaght Stadium this evening for the meeting with Derry City and is refusing to rule the Hoops out of the SSE Airtricity League race.

They trail leaders Dundalk by 12 points with 11 matches remaining and Fenlon believes that his new dressing room can put the heat on the Lilywhites by putting a run together.

"If you can win a couple of games, the whole thing changes," said the 45-year-old. "If we get closer to Dundalk and Cork, then it changes their perspective as well. When you get to that stage of the season, anything can happen. I'm not coming here to be second."

Fenlon's new employers are not expecting to take home the big prize this term, but they have told their manager the importance of European qualification after two barren summers.

SUCCESS

Rovers, who currently sit fourth, need a top-three finish or FAI Cup success to book their ticket. "The real serious goal is to make sure we get that place," agrees Fenlon, who expects to work with the same core of players for the remainder of this campaign.

"It was disappointing for the supporters when it came around this year and they saw Pat's using this ground for Europe. And, from a financial point of view, it's a help for the club moving forward. That's probably the bigger goal but we're not giving up on anything."

With the anniversary of his departure from Hibernian looming, Fenlon is happy to be getting stuck back into work. This is, he concedes, a step back from his SPL post in terms of the profile of the league within its own country and the infrastructure available. However, he turned down other Irish posts with a view to landing this gig.

Rovers chairman Jonathan Roche revealed that they made an unsuccessful approach to Hibs in 2012 with a view to securing Fenlon's services and asserted their belief he is the man for the long haul.

While they said the same about Stephen Kenny and Trevor Croly, the awarding of a three-and-a-half-year deal is a vote of confidence.

"You can get a 10-year contract these days and it doesn't make any difference," cautioned the new man, ahead of a meeting with staff as part of shaping his back-room plans. Croly's assistant John Gill is preparing to step aside after this weekend.

Fenlon is a proven winner on these shores, with five league wins to his name. His critics would argue that he delivered success at Shelbourne and Bohemians with clubs that were overspending.

In his defence, he managed to preside over a united dressing-room in the midst of turmoil that left players out of pocket and unsure where they stood. At Hibs, he enjoyed the freedom of being able to concentrate on playing matters, albeit with mixed results. This opportunity ticks the boxes, allowing him to concentrate on football issues within a solid structure while working at home.

"There's a great incentive here in that the stadium is in place, the schoolboys is ticking over as there's been a lot of changes to it by Trevor in fairness, and there is a chance to build something," continued Fenlon.

"In previous clubs it was about just going out to win football matches and leagues because there was so much money being thrown at it. Here there is a chance to try and develop as well as winning some trophies."

For his family, there is emotional significance. His uncle Christy was present at yesterday's unveiling and is a well-known Hoops follower. As a child, Fenlon was brought to Milltown.

"My mum and dad are both from Crumlin and the link was that we'd go to my granny on a Sunday for dinner and then go to Milltown. That's how I started following Rovers to be honest."

The aspiring footballer emigrated to try his luck at Chelsea as Jim McLaughlin's four-in-a row team of the '80s hit their peak. When he returned home after falling short in England, the club were in turmoil moving from ground to ground and he found success elsewhere. He regrets spending just one campaign with Rovers, the inglorious 1996/97 season.

"It was not my doing," he stresses. "I signed a three-year contract and was sold (to Shels) when I was away on holidays. I didn't have too much to do with it to be honest. At the time Rovers needed some money so they saw me as a little bit of an asset and were able to get some money."

Now, in a changed era, he has the chance to write his name into the club's storied history. It's a natural union that should reap dividends.

Irish Independent