DALY BRED

Kelleher insists Saints manager Jon's positive approach shows he's cut out to be a success

- PAUL O'HEHIR

GARRETT KELLEHER believes Jon Daly earned his stripes to land the St Patrick's Athletic job on a permanent basis.

And the Saints owner-chairman hailed the new manager's positive impact' on the team during his interim spell.

Daly stepped up from being Tim Clancy's assistant to steer St Pat's - who are fourth in the table to three wins in four games over recent weeks.

Other candidates were interviewed and Mirror Sport revealed last week that ex-Celtic boss Neil Lennon was approached but turned down the job.

St Pat's have described the hunt as a "comprehensive recruitment and interview process with a number of candidates". But Daly - who will keep the existing backroom staff- steadied the ship in the meantime.

And, crucially, he secured the necessary results to earn this shot at his first full-time managerial gig.