St Patrick’s Athletic set sights on Stephen Kenny return

Former Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny in attendance at the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Dundalk and St Patrick's Athletic, Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach, Sportsfile

St Patrick’s Athletic have sounded out former Ireland manager Stephen Kenny about becoming their next boss.

Saints owner Garrett Kelleher is on the hunt for his fourth boss in 30 months after relieving Jon Daly of his duties in the aftermath of his seventh defeat of the 15 league games.

Kenny began his coaching career career with the Saints as their U21 boss, the precursor to a decorated career in the League of Ireland and Scotland.

Since the 52-year-old’s three-and-a-half tenure as Ireland boss was ended by the FAI last November, he’s had approaches from two other former clubs, Bohemians and Dundalk, with a view to taking charge.

It’s understood he retains ambitions of managing abroad - Plymouth Argyle shortlisted him before appointing since sacked Ian Foster - but Kelleher is known for his persuasive powers.

Tellingly, news of Daly’s sacking wasn’t accompanied by an update on the caretaker boss for Friday’s trip to face champions Shamrock Rovers on Friday.

Daly was handed the reins after impressing during a three-week caretaker arrangement following the axing this week last year of Tim Clancy, whom he’d flanked since they replaced the departed Stephen O’Donnell in December 2021.

ALL OVER: Former St. Patrick's Athletic manager Jon Daly. Pic: Ben Brady, Inpho

Under his stewardship, the Saints finished third in the league, 10 points behind champions Shamrock Rovers, but moreover lifted the FAI Cup for the second time in three years, also beating Bohemians before a record crowd at Lansdowne Road of 41,238.

There were major expectations around this first full season but Daly had to endure a raft of departures, especially at the back where goalkeeper Dean Lyness along with defenders Sam Curtis, David Norman and Jay McGrath all departed following the Cup triumph.

Losing captain Joe Redmond again to injury this season has been another blow to his rearguard unit.

Daly’s sacking comes after a Bank Holiday Monday defeat at Sligo Rovers, the same juncture that Clancy’s fate befell him.

They sit seventh in the table after just one win in six matches, albeit just two points off the last European qualification berth of fourth currently occupied by newly promoted Galway United.

While they enjoyed a home victory over the champions last month, three consecutive defeats following their opening night win in Galway brought the spotlight on the 41-year-old’s project.

Chairman Kelleher, speaking on the matter, said: “We would like to thank Jon for his time at the club, and in particular our FAI Cup success at The Aviva last November. We wish Jon the very best for the future.”

Daly repeatedly dampened talk of crisis by citing the closeness of the table but billionaire Kelleher has swung the hatchet four days before Rovers welcome the manager-less Saints to Tallaght on Friday for a monumental Dublin derby.