Ruaidhri Higgins leaves Dundalk to join Stephen Kenny on Ireland management team

Perth has teamed up again with the former Lilywhites boss as part of his Ireland managerial team

Dundalk have settled their disagreement with the FAI over the loss of assistant coach Ruaidhri Higgins to Stephen Kenny's senior Ireland management team.

Lilywhites boss Vinny Perth expressed unhappiness six weeks ago that Higgins, who was his assistant as Dundalk retained the title having previously been an opposition analyst, was leaving for the international set-up.

Damien Doyle has been appointed as Head of Athletic Performance with the senior team and Kevin Mulholland joins the medical team as a Chartered Physiotherapist.

However, speaking this evening Perth said: “The FAI has reached an agreement to enable Ruaidhri’s departure.

“We put a huge emphasis and value on contracts at this club and we are satisfied that the matter has been dealt with in the correct manner.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Ruaidhri and he leaves with the well-wishes of everyone in Dundalk.

“He was a popular and valuable member of our backroom team and I would like to thank him for the support and assistance he gave me during his time at the club.

“If you want a championship-winning team, then I believe you need championship-winning staff. Ruaidhri was certainly that and I’ll always be grateful to him for what he did for me.

“For too long, managers have overlooked people in the background but every person, including Ruaidhri, made a huge contribution last season and we all wish him the very best of luck.”