'I’m very grateful to get back to work' says Colin Healy as life at Kerry FC begins
New Kerry FC manager Colin Healy with Kerry FC CEO Billy Dennehy, left, at the club grounds at Mounthawk Park in Tralee, Kerry. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Colin Healy says Kerry FC strategic project and the timing of the opportunity were defining factors in him picking the option for his football return.
Although Premier Division Waterford approached him about his managerial vacancy, and an opportunity arose of returning to Cork City as assistant, he’s taken a leap of faith with the First Division strugglers.
A contentious three-point deduction has left them level with Athlone Town at the foot of the second tier but Healy is emphasising the bigger picture in his selection criteria.
That is reflected in him signing a long-term contract to become full-time manager of a team composed primarily of part-time players.
A cash injection of €1.5m by new owner, US-based Kerryman John Wall, at the start of the season is being invested across the club’s six teams, cascading to Academy level.
Healy has mapped out how he intends progressing a club whose senior team is less than three years in existence, deciding this was the challenge to mark his comeback.
He decided to take a break from the game in the aftermath of the FAI releasing himself and Eileen Gleeson as the Ireland women’s management team in December.
Circumstances around that exit are moot, with conflicting reports between Healy and the FAI over alleged promises of his deal being extended regardless of how their Euro playoff unravelled. Lower seeds Wales denied Ireland a second successive tournament by winning 3-2 over two legs.
The 45-year-old was unwilling to delve into the details of the episode at his unveiling in Tralee on Tuesday, preferring to keep the focus on his new employers.
Initial talks with Kerry FC didn’t result in him starting the season in charge but he’s onboard now, with Conor McCarthy stepping back as boss to remain as part of the new manager’s backroom staff.
Personal factors contributed to the delay. The passing of his wife Kelly in April 2024 means Healy is a lone parent of his two children and their welfare was uppermost in choosing a home/work balance.
“When I left the Ireland women’s team, there were conversations with other clubs but I’ve two kids and couldn’t make any quick decisions without speaking to them,” explained the former Ireland midfielder, whose previous club job was managing his hometown club Cork City for almost three years.
“I didn’t want to agree to something and then three months down the line thinking I can’t do it because I needed to look after my daughter or son.
“But I’m ready to go and this will be full-on. I had my five months off but had to get back to work for myself.
“Kerry is a club that’s growing very quickly and this excites me. I’m very grateful to get back to work and see where it takes us.
“I spoke to a few people but this project excites me. I don’t live too far away from me and that was a big part. I’ve got two kids so one thing that drew me here apart from the football was how close the driving distance is.
“I was with the Irish team and loved my time but I feel like I’m a manager. I had opportunities to become assistant with other clubs but I wanted to manage.
“From sitting down with Billy (Dennehy) for a few hours I wanted to be part of. It’s great to get back out there working with young players. I had good relationships with young players at Cork who’ve moved on to good things, such as Josh Honohan, Jake O’Brien and David Harrington. I get a real buzz out of that.
“This project will take time but pressure is part of management. Hopefully we can get a good crowd for Friday’s home game against Treaty United and keep moving up the table.”
Dennehy, this season the club’s chief executive after starting as coach, was a former teammate of Healy’s at both Sunderland and Cork City.
“Creating a football club in Kerry is different to anywhere in the world,” the Kerryman said about the short history, including the withdrawal of original owner Brian Ainscough, who switched his stake to Dundalk.
“When John Wall reached out, the stars aligned in many ways. There was a real understanding of who we are and what we want to do.
“We wanted to learn from other clubs going through various ownerships and then fluctuating across their divisions.
“John’s involvement allowed us the security to plan long-term but didn’t change who we were. We didn’t rush out and bring in loads of players on big contracts.
“There was a roadmap of who wanted and Colin was ideal for that.
“I got the sense that he wanted to build a club that we can bring the community with us.”
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