Rory McKee
r.mckee@ardschronicle.co.uk
LEE Cathcart insists he’s hungry for a swift return to management after his departure from Rosemount Rec was announced earlier this week.
The Newtownards native leaves his post at Islandview Road following six-and-a-half years as boss, with Rosemount sitting comfortably among the middle pack in the NAFL Premier Division table.
Cathcart has overseen a golden period in the club’s history, guiding the Greyabbey side to three back-to-back promotions from Division 1C all the way to the top flight. That included an invincible campaign as Rosemount went undefeated on their way to the 1B title in 2021/22.
Reflecting on his decision to seek pastures new, the 35-year-old said: “It just feels like the right time to move on. I think we had probably taken Rosemount as far as we could and I’m looking for a new challenge now.
“I have left with no other offers, so it’s not as if I have anything else lined up. It will just be a case of sitting back and wait and see.
“But I definitely want to get back into management, I made that clear to the club when I spoke with them. I’m still hungry and think I have plenty more to offer.”
Cathcart joined Rosemount in November 2017 – halfway through their first season in intermediate football – and led them to a third placed finish. In his first full season, the club went on an unforgettable run in the Irish Cup culminating in a fifth round tie away to Glenavon. That same year, they reached the semi-finals of the Border Cup and were runners-up in the Clarence Cup.
After winning Division 1C the following season, Cathcart led Rosemount to an undefeated 1B campaign and the promotions just kept on coming, with the club finishing second in 1A last season to seal passage to the Premier Division.
“I think this year has probably been the biggest success,” he explained.
“It was always a case of trying to keep the club up, and we managed that with nine games to go. We couldn’t ask any more of the players.
“Yes, there have been some changes over the years, but a lot of the players who were there when I first arrived are still at the club and I think we’ve definitely left Rosemount in a better situation than when we came in. It’s an attractive job for whoever takes it.”
In a statement on their Facebook page, the club wrote: “It has been an incredible journey with Lee. We have reached heights we never thought possible and everyone at the club offers our sincere thanks to him and his coaches, Mark, Darren, Andy, Scott, Chris and Walshy, for their hard work and dedication.
“We wish them well for the future and they are more than welcome at Islandview Road anytime.”
This weekend will see Cathcart in the Rosemount dugout for the last time, with Amateur League kingpins Crumlin Star the visitors to Greyabbey. It’s also a farewell to club stalwart
Stephen Atcheson, who is set to hang his boots up at the end of this season.
“A manager’s dream. That is about all I could say about that big man,” said Cathcart on Atcheson.
“He has been a pleasure to work with. Forty years old, still training twice a week and I know for a fact he could play for another season.
“I think it’s 24 years he has been with the club – you can’t replace players like that. The young boys coming through aren’t made like him anymore!”
