Stephen Kenny: ‘I don't think we'll be meeting for cups of tea or coffee'

Stephen Kenny

Stephen Kenny Credit: Matthew Lysaght (ETPhotos)

Stephen Kenny was unveiled as the new Saints boss on Thursday and has taken charge of St. Patrick's Athletic for this evening’s home game against Derry City following the dismissal of Jon Daly.

Despite this being Kenny's first managerial position since his exit as Republic of Ireland manager November last year, it was his frosted relationship with Inchicore icon and former Pats manager Brian Kerr that remained at the forefront of conversation at Thursday evening’s press briefing with Kenny.

Relations between the pair appear strained after Kerr, who was Pats boss between 1986 and 1996, criticised Kenny in the latter spell of his reign in the national job late last year.

In a press conference on Thursday, Kenny was quizzed on the subject and he replied: “He (Kerr) goes to the 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.”

Asked if things whether or not relations between them would be fine between the pair if they bumped into each other, Kenny said: “I don't think fine would be the word but certainly, 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.”

Kenny has signed a five-and-a-half year deal to take charge of St Patrick’s Athletic.

Kerr, 71, remains a cult hero in Dublin 8, attending St Pats games a regular at Richmond Park. He will also feature on punditry duty on Virgin Media for next Monday’s derby between Pat’s and Shels.

 

About Rory Merriman

Rory Merriman is a St. Patrick’s Athletic fan who studied journalism in TU Dublin and has written for numerous publications both online and print. He joined the extratime.com team in 2023. View Full Profile