Amateur League manager admits it's special having father part of coaching team as they look to replicate incredible success with new club

Cathcart’s playing career came to an end at the age of 17 due to a persistent knee injury, but he has since forged an impressive path in management and led Rosemount from Division 1C into an established Premier Division club over a six-and-a-half year run which included going unbeaten throughout the 2021/22 campaign to seal 1B glory.

There were also some historic Irish Cup memories to cherish with Rosemount becoming the first-ever team from 1C to reach the competition’s fifth round when they faced Premiership outfit Glenavon in January 2019.

The Greyabbey side made it to the same stage once again last season, losing 3-0 against Loughgall at Lakeview Park, and through all of the promotions and cup victories, the Cathcart’s have enjoyed it together with Mark part of the backroom staff.

Lee Cathcart is unveiled as new Dundonald manager with father Mark (far left) also part of the backroom staff. PIC: Dundonald FC

"It is special,” said Lee. “Dad comes down on a Saturday, helps around the changing room and is great at speaking to the boys.

"He comes down and does the line and the duties that nobody else wants to do! It's brilliant experience to have and he has been with me since I started my managerial career nearly 15 years ago. He's somebody who I bounce all my ideas off. You'd be lost without him.

"My playing career stopped when I was about 17, but he was the one running me everywhere and keeping me right. From I came into management, I was probably a bit wet behind the ears at the start.

"I'd been in coaching roles but from the start he was a major help and over the years he was always there. He left it to me over the years but he's always there for any advice that's needed and any ideas I need to bounce off him."

Cathcart is now hoping to use the exact same blueprint for success with Dundonald – the County Down club currently sit in Division 1C and finished seventh last season.

That process of climbing the league pyramid and chasing progression is what Cathcart enjoyed most about an unforgettable time at Rosemount and he’s looking to further add to his silverware collection.

"I'm really looking forward to it,” he added. “When I finished up at Rosemount, I felt I'd taken them as far as I could and had maybe lost a bit of interest in football...I didn't know whether to take a break or what to do.

"A few clubs got in touch and I knew the boys up at Dundonald. They sold it well and it seemed to be a club that is looking to go back in the right direction again.

"They've put the right structures in behind the scenes with more of a committee and we've been there before in taking a club on that journey. Looking back on it, that's when I was enjoying football the most and hopefully we can get Dundonald back up the leagues and win a couple of trophies along the way.

"If we can do the same again in the next four years getting them into the Premier Division, it would be the dream really."