Stephen Kenny sold on Kelleher vision but no Kerr reconciliation 

As renowned as Kenny is for mulling over decisions, he encountered the ultimate salesman in Garrett Kelleher

St. Patrick's Athletic unveil Stephen Kenny as their new manager at Richmond Park. Pic ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Garrett Kelleher’s efficiency in luring his first-choice of Stephen Kenny to St Patrick’s Athletic should prompt a call from the FAI.

Rather than the week it took for the property tycoon to convince the ex-Ireland boss to resume his domestic journey, almost seven months since his exit, the FAI are no closer to sourcing his successor.

Kelleher has pumped an estimated €40m of his fortune into the Dublin club since assuming control in 2007 and invested further by making Kenny the highest-paid manager in the history of the league.

No previous boss was trusted with a contract length spanning five-and-a-half years, underling the faith Kelleher bestows in Kenny after sacking his two predecessors in the space of a year.

His antenna twitched once Kenny became available and Jon Daly’s tenure barrelled into the rocks within a dozen games of the 2024 season kicking off in February.

As soon as Daly was fired 10 days ago, the overlord made his move for the man known at Dundalk as King Kenny for the unprecedented success he brought up to 2018 which triggered an offer from the FAI.

Kenny reaffirmed his stance during Thursday’s unveiling that any job after the senior Ireland one he presided over for three-and-a-half years was a step down but this was the one to tempt him.

His admirer at Inchicore spent several days selling his target the blueprint he envisages – reestablishing Pat’s as winner of a title they last secured in 2013 and eventually operating within a revamped Richmond Park.

Offering a showcase for their Academy graduates to shine – and potentially being snapped up by bigger clubs for mutual gains – is another strand to the appeal.

As renowned as Kenny is for mulling over decisions, he encountered the ultimate salesman in Kelleher whose persuasive powers tends to yield gold.

“It was a big decision and, like every decision around taking a job, you wrestle with it,” confessed the 52-year-old about saying yes to Kelleher, a change of position to recent approaches from Bohemians and Dundalk.

“I knew it would be a difficult job to take on. You’re not managing a team challenging for the title. We’ve some good opponents over the next few weeks so we’ve to nurture this team, let it grow and try to get up the table.

“I’m here because I want to be successful anyway. That could be European success and we look forward to the Conference League in July.

“You want to be challenging for trophies and doing well in Europe. Other clubs have those ambitions too so it won’t be easy.” 

Kenny was straight into the thick of it on Thursday, overseeing training on the eve of their meeting with Derry City.

They also have leaders Shelbourne coming to Inchicore on Monday, after which clarity on the identity of a new assistant to work alongside Sean O’Connor and Pat Jennings, whom he’s retained from the Daly regime.

Even when he comes up for air, probably after they’ve faced Bohemians next Friday in the third game over seven days, don’t expect Kenny to seek Brian Kerr’s counsel.

A bona fide St Pat’s legend that Kerr is, Kenny didn’t display a conciliatory tone when asked about the pair of former friends repairing a connection the newcomer culled due to the pundit’s criticism of his Ireland term.

“Brian goes to St Pat’s games and that's a big part of his life but no, I don't think we'll be meeting for cups of tea or coffee,” Kenny asserted in response to a potential healing of tensions.

“I don't think fine is the word I’d use but I haven't seen Brian in a long time. We had a very good relationship for a long period but that's the way life is.” 

Clearly, the feud lingers but Kenny will have to pick his battles when he’s been armed with such autonomy.

That divide is one Kelleher can live with after making the biggest statement of his 17-year stewardship.