SOCCER:AS WIDELY predicted, Galway United yesterday unveiled former Irish international defender Jeff Kenna as their new manager in succession to Tony Cousins who was sacked on March 30th.
The 37-year-old Dubliner has agreed a contract until the end of the 2010 season, though it's believed it will be reviewed at the end of this year.
In a playing career spanning 20 years, Kenna won 27 caps and was part of Blackburn Rovers' Premiership winning side of 1994/95 after joining from Southampton. He later captained Blackburn and both Birmingham City and Derby County.
He was released from his playing contract with non-league Kidderminster Harriers to take up the appointment. Billy Clery, who had acted as caretaker manager, will be Kenna's assistant.
"I've played at a high level for 20 years and have worked under a number of managers, both good and bad, but I'm hoping to put the things I've learned to good use," said Kenna who takes charge for the first time when Bray Wanderers visit Terryland Park on Friday night.
"This will signal a change of direction for the football club," said Galway CEO Nick Leeson. "We wanted a fresh approach, but not necessarily somebody steeped in League of Ireland tradition. I'm excited by the prospect of working with Jeff, as are the remainder of the board. Our season, I believe starts now."
"The board has decided, and will find the resources, to strengthen the squad and that will be done at the earliest opportunity," added chairman John Fallon.
Meanwhile, Bohemians have been drawn to play Welsh side Rhyl FC in the Uefa Intertoto Cup first round, the draw for which was made in Nyon yesterday.
Bohemians are at home on Saturday, June 21st, with the away leg a week later. Should they progress they will meet the winners of the representatives from Iceland or Latvia, with, potentially, Scottish opposition awaiting the winners of that tie in the third round.
The eleven third round winners gain entry to the second round of the Uefa Cup. It is the last season of the Intertoto Cup competition ahead of a restructuring of the Champions League and Uefa Cups for season 2009/10 when the League of Ireland will have three, as opposed to the current two, representatives in the Uefa Cup.
