Dessie, who is the current Northern Ireland Under-16 manager, will take over from Roy Millar who stood down from the job two months ago, in October.

The local man faced stiff competition for the role, with Glentoran manager Alan McDonald said to have been interviewed for the post.

Speaking to the Star after the announcement on Tuesday, a delighted Dessie commented: "It has all been very short notice, so it has been manic really. It is a four year contract for the job in line with UEFA regulations and I have negoiated with the Board of Governors to give me permission to leave, firstly on a two year career break and then hopefully permanently if everything is going well."

Dessie said he is both nervous and excited about the role.

"The build up to the interview was nerve-wracking, although I am excited about the future. I have served my apprenticeship in football. I have worked at grass roots level right through to elite level. It has been a hectic three or four days and now the job has been offered I am looking forward to getting my teeth into it."

Dessie will now take a deserved family holiday before returning for the Milk Cup and he will finish his duties at Laurelhill in September.

His role as Technical Director will involve a number of key areas including working with grassroots football with children from 5-15 years of age, working with elite players, including the Excellence Programme and working with elite development players from 12-16 years old and international players. He will also work on developing football for disability groups and women's football, as well as carrying out research programmes such as building up resources which those involved with football to gain access to.

Dessie admitted that the role of Technical Director will be "challenging", adding: "Sometimes people forget that as well as excellent players, we also have excellent coaches and staff at the IFA."
Football has long been something Dessie has been passionate about and he is delighted to have been given this opportunity.

"I started with football really as a young teacher. I started studying for my coaching courses and badges when I was 19 or 20 and I was still doing my degree. I began with the IFA by working with younger players on mini soccer or fun weeks, before going on to get my A Licence and then my Pro Licence, so I have worked with all age groups."

Whilst he is very much looking forward to a full time role within football, Dessie will miss his role as a PE Teacher at Laurelhill.
"I had the best of both worlds, following my passion at a football level and being able to teach. Working in football is something I love and I can't believe they are now paying my to do this job."

Dessie, who spent 18 years at Laurelhill, paid tribute to those at the school. "I was both man and boy at Laurelhill. There have been a lot of changes, from the development of the Sports Zone to the bid for Olympic Basketball; it would have been nice to see that through."

Dessie also paid tribute to Lisburn City Council, "There are already strong links between the IFA and Lisburn City Council, especially with the work of Jim Rose and Brendan Courtney and I hope those links will further develop in the future."

He added: "I will be back at Laurelhill in September, obviously it was a very late notice and it will be tinged with some regrets. Laurelhill is a very good school that was always very supportive of my fooball links. There is a fantastic PE Department there, so it is with regret that I am leaving."