New start for Galway and Kenna

“OUR SEASON starts now,” declared Galway United’s chief executive Nick Leeson after the club yesterday unveiled former Irish international Jeff Kenna as their new manager.

The 37-year-old Dubliner, who was capped 27 times for his country and helped Blackburn Rovers win the Premiership in 1995, has been playing for non-League Kidderminster Harriers in England for the past two seasons, but he now takes up his first managerial post as successor to Tony Cousins who was sacked three weeks ago.

Kenna, who will take immediate charge for the game against Bray Wanderers at Terryland Park on Friday, has been given a three-year term, with Billy Clery, the caretaker boss since Cousins’ departure, installed as his assistant.

Said Kenna: “I have been trying to get into the coaching and management side of things for the past season so I am delighted and thrilled to be given this opportunity. There are some good young lads coming through. Hopefully I can add something to that and that can only benefit the club.”

United, bottom of the Premier Division, are still without a win after seven games, but Kenna said that he is not daunted by the challenge.

“I know the club are in a difficult situation but that’s the way in football,” he said. “It’s my job to lift confidence and improve results on the field.”

Although Kenna will register as a player, he has indicated that he will only don the boots in the event of an emergency.

“I won’t have time to settle in as we have a job to do and a game at the weekend to prepare for,” he said.

Club chairman John Fallon welcomed the new man’s appointment, saying: “Jeff is a proven leader of men. You have here a man who is prepared to back himself. That is what Galway United needs. The board will find the resources to strengthen the squad.”

And chief executive Nick Leeson said he believes that the former international’s appointment would mark a turning point in Galway’s fortunes.

“This will signal a change of direction for the football club,” he said. “We wanted a fresh approach, but not necessarily somebody steeped in League of Ireland tradition. I’m excited by the prospect of working with Jeff. Our season, I believe, starts now.”

Meanwhile, Bohemians boss Pat Fenlon says he is happy with the Intertoto draw which has paired the Dublin club and Welsh side Rhyl in the first round.

“It’s a good draw on a few levels,” said Fenlon. “It’s a tie where you’d fancy your chances of doing well and there’s no major expense involved in travelling.”

The winners will face either FC Riga of Latvia or Fylkir of Iceland in the second round, and the reward for the winners of that fixture would be a match against the Scottish entrants — probably either Dundee United or Hibs — in the third round.

Bohs take on Rhyl in the first leg of their first round tie at Dalymount Park on June 21.