Bohemians confirmed yesterday the appointment of 28-year-old Republic of Ireland international Gareth Farrelly as their new player-manager.

The news follows a couple of days of negotiations between club officials and the Dubliner who was released by Wigan Athletic at the end of last season and has since failed to secure a contract with a prominent English club.

Gary Howlett, who remains in charge for this evening's FAI Cup game against Kildare County, will take on the full-time role of first-team coach. Farrelly will be officially unveiled at a press conference next Thursday afternoon.

"We're delighted we've been able to appoint somebody of his ability," said club secretary Gerry Cuffe yesterday. "He is a deeply impressive guy and having heard his ideas for the club and got a taste of his knowledge of the game I think it's fair to say we're very fortunate to have got him."

Initial contact with the player seems to have come about through club president Felim O'Reilly who is friendly with him and his family. Stephen Kenny had sought to sign him as a player and there is little doubt his presence will greatly strengthen the Bohemians midfield.

His inexperience, however, would appear to make his appointment as manager a considerable gamble although Cuffe and the rest of the Bohemians board seem to have been convinced the former Aston Villa, Everton and Bolton Wanderers midfielder has an aptitude for the new role.

"Having spoken to him and listened to his plans I'm not worried at all by his lack of experience," said Cuffe. "Undoubtedly there is a bit of a gap there but when you look at the managers he has worked under and his vast experience as a player we are certain he can overcome it very quickly."

Farrelly was capped six times at senior level and becomes, as Bohemians proudly pointed out yesterday, the third full Irish international currently at Dalymount Park after Glen Crowe and Dominic Foley.

His appointment will kill off any lingering speculation Paul Doolin might jump ship from Drogheda, something the former Bohemians midfielder may welcome as he prepares for this evening's cup game against St Patrick's Athletic in United Park.

Doolin is without the suspended Glen Lacey for the game but Gary Cronin should be okay despite having fallen awkwardly on his shoulder last weekend.

"It's a big game," said the United boss, "but no bigger than any of the others over the past few weeks. The only thing I'd say, I suppose, is the best team tends to win the league and we're probably not quite there yet. With a little bit of luck, though, you're always in with a shot of the cup."

Having been on seven cup winning teams as a player Doolin knows all about succeeding in the competition and his side will start as strong favourites despite having lost to the Dubliners on a couple of occasions this season.

He is helped by the problems being encountered by his opposite number, John McDonnell, who is without three established strikers, Gary McPhee, Paul Rose and Jimmy Lee Jones, as well as Barry Prenderville and Mark Quinless, whose loan deal from United contains a clause preventing him from playing.

Paul Osam is likely to feature after resting a groin strain for a few weeks but a lot will depend on how the visiting side's young attacking players cope with the challenge of taking on the league's second most effective defence this evening.

Dublin City manager Roddy Collins has signed under-21 international Shaun Byrne and former Northern Ireland international Keith Rowland.

After coming to prominence as a member of the under-16 European Championship-winning side of 1998 Byrne enjoyed "next big-thing" status among Ireland's young players in Britain. Injuries contributed to frustrating times at West Ham, however, and while he had successful spells on loan in the lower divisions he has never made the impact expected of him.

Like Rowland, a 32-year-old from Portadown, he is a versatile player who is comfortable in midfield roles or at full back.