Sean Connor (born: 12 July 1967) became manager of Dundalk on 8 December 2008 after the departure of John Gill following the Lilywhites’ First Division title triumph the previous month. Connor began his playing career at Lisburn Distillery where he played for one season before joining Port Vale. However, he failed to nail down a regular first-team place and went on-loan to Macclesfield Town before returning to Ireland to sign for Ards. Injuries sustained in a car crash curtailed his career, though, and after an unsuccessful comeback with Cliftonville he retired from the game.

After time working as Press Officer for Birmingham City FC, Connor travelled to the United States where he coached under John McGinlay, father of Michael, with Cincinnati Riverhawks, Boston Bulldogs and Lafayette Swamp Cats. Connor was appointed as manager of Sligo Rovers in September 2004 and in his first full season won the First Division title and promotion to the top flight. He led Sligo to fifth position in their first year back in the Premier Division, however, towards the end of that campaign, on 2 November 2006, he departed the Showgrounds after an approach from Bohemians.

Connor was unveiled at Dalymount Park 15 days after leaving Sligo and led the Gypsies to third place in his first, and what proved to be his last, season. After a year out of football, a period of time during which he appeared as an analyst on RTE2’s Monday Night Soccer (MNS), Connor returned to the game last December when he was chosen as the new manager of Dundalk. His first ever game in charge of the Lilywhites came on 18 February in a scoreless draw at Wexford Youths. His first competitive outing was the 1-0 defeat by Bohemians at Oriel Park on the opening night of the season while his first competitive win came in the league in a 3-0 home victory over Drogheda United on 20 March.

Profile last updated: July 2009