St Patrick’s Athletic part ways with manager Jon Daly after one year in charge

In a brief statement, chairman Garrett Kelleher thanked the Dubliner for his efforts since taking over a year ago this week, but a rocky start to the 2024 campaign has seen Daly relieved in his duties today with the Saints sitting in seventh place.

Having taken over from Tim Clancy 12 months ago, Daly led the Inchicore side to an FAI Cup triumph last November, as well as a third-placed finish in the league, but St Pat’s have struggled for consistency so far this term, suffering seven defeats in their opening 15 games.

Supporters had hoped to see St Pat’s kick on after securing back-to-back victories against champions Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers early last month, but since then they have won just one of their last six games and sit nine points off the top.

Yesterday’s 1-0 defeat away to Sligo Rovers turned out to be the end of the road for 41-year-old Daly, who won 22 of his 45 games in charge of St Pat’s.

A statement from the club today read: “St Patrick's Athletic can confirm that Jon Daly has been relieved of his duties as first team manager. Chairman Garrett Kelleher said: “We would like to thank Jon for his time at the club, and in particular our FAI Cup success at The Aviva last November. We wish Jon the very best for the future.

“We need to find a way of winning, whether we are playing well or not. You probably have to sometimes let the players know you’re frustrated and not happy, that’s part of the game, isn’t it?,” said Daly after their recent Dublin derby defeat away to Shelbourne.

“It’s disappointing, it’s not good enough, I know that, the boys know that. We need to improve very quickly.”

The club will now begin the search for a new manager with the FAI Cup holders next in action away to the champions at Tallaght Stadium this Friday. No interim replacement has been named as of yet.