St Patrick's Athletic appoint Harry Kenny as manager for the 2019 season

St Parick's Athletic have confirmed the appointment of former Bray Wanderers manager Harry Kenny as manager following the departure of Liam Buckley.

The Dubliner was part of Buckley's backroom team the last time the Athletic lifted the Premier Division title in 2013 and was most recently in charge of Bray Wanderers.

During an 18-month stint at the Carlisle Grounds, Kenny had the club challenging for Europe before financial problems beset the club and he departed at the end of the 2017 season.

Buckley departed Richmond Park late last month by mutual consent following a difficult couple of years on the field, having won one league, one FAI Cup and two EA Sports Cups in seven years.

As a player, Kenny was a member of the famous four-in-a-row Shamrock Rovers team, and also had spells with Drogheda United and Crusaders.

Kenny will step down from his role as an FAI/ETB player development coach after ten years to commit fully to the role at Richmond Park.

"I am absolutely honoured to be appointed first team manager of St Pat's,” Kenny told the club's website.

“During my playing career in the League of Ireland, Pat's were always a club I admired and, having coached at the club in 2013 in a season which we won the league title, I have a great fondness for the club.

"It is a privilege to be named manager and I look forward to get going and working with the players next season as we now look to plan and prepare ahead of the 2019 season.

"In taking on the job at the club, I am leaving the FAI/ETB player development course after around 10 years.

“I met many great football people throughout my work there and I would like to thank John Delaney and everyone at the FAI for their support during my time there.”

Caretaker manager Ger O'Brien will continue to oversee the team for their final league game of the season, at home to Derry City on Friday night.