Dundalk make shock appointment as former Ireland Under-21 boss Noel King takes over on 18-month deal

Veteran manager Noel King has landed the Dundalk job on an 18-month contract - after the Lilywhites sent out an Save Our Season to their former player.

King twice had spells as a player at Oriel Park in a career that also brought him to Shamrock Rovers, Home Farm, Bohemians and Derry City, among other clubs.

His first taste of management was with Derry City almost 40 years ago, while he also took charge of Shamrock Rovers, Limerick and Finn Harps, before moving into international management.

King led the Ireland women's side between 2000 and 2010, and then moved to the men's Under-21s, and had a two-game interim spell in charge of the senior side in 2013 against Germany (0-3) and Kazakhstan (3-1).

More recently he led Shelbourne to two Women's National League titles and an FAI Cup.

While CVs arrived at over the past week and a half from across Europe, Dundalk decided that they wanted King in charge - and made contact with him in recent days to offer him a return to the men's League of Ireland after a 21-year absence.

King has been handed an 18-month deal and his immediate goal is to revive the club's fortunes.

They have yet to win in the Premier Division this season, drawing five and losing six of their 11 games to date, including a 1-1 stalemate away to Sligo Rovers on Friday night.

Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.