'AVIVA RETURN A BIT SURREAL'

STEPHEN KENNY has revealed how St Pat's owner Garrett Kelleher convinced him to start going to Ireland games again.

- BY PAUL O’HEHIR

The World Cup draw at home to Hungary in September was the first time Kenny has been to an Ireland match since his spell as manager ended in 2023.

“Garret said to me I should go,” said the Saints boss. “I wasn't going to go but he said I needed to. You need to have a bit of space from it.

“Ultimately I'm an Ireland supporter, I have always been, and I fully back the manager (Heimir Hallgrimsson) and staff and all the players. They have my full support.”

Asked how he felt watching Ireland play, after returning to Aviva Stadium for an international match, after three years as Ireland boss, Kenny said: “A bit surreal.”

He continued: “It's a chapter in my life and a huge honour. People can view it any way they want. It was the time of my life.

“It was a transitional period for the country, for football in Ireland. And ideologically, I was absolutely right to do what I did.

“I still stand over that, that it was the right method. I'm not complaining about being replaced, I accepted it. I understood the realities of the situation.”