Pictiue: Don MacMonagle
Former Kerry FC chief executive Brian Ainscough, whose departure to take over top Premier League side Dundalk caused widespread shock in the Kingdom, said he is glad be involved at the highest level in Irish football and he wants his new club back competing in Europe.
And he maintained that while he expects Kerry will eventually do very well, it is only starting its journey and it is “five or 10 years away” from being able to compete at the top of the first division and then getting into the Premiership.
But Ainscough said he is confident that Kerry FC will survive and thrive without him and he said he was very comfortable and happy during his time at Mounthawk Park.
“We got a good chance to take it over the line and put senior football down there. I’m proud of that and a little heartbroken that I’m not part of it anymore but I see this as a better opportunity for me,” he said at a press conference.
Kerry FC bosses and supporters were stunned when news broke of Ainscough’s departure just a year after he had guided the club in its debut season in the League of Ireland.
In a brief statement issued last week, the club confirmed that Ainscough has stepped down as CEO to pursue other interests.
“The remaining shareholders are fully committed to providing League of Ireland football to the people of Kerry, including our US-based investors.
“Kerry FC would like to thank Brian Ainscough for his participation and efforts in the Kerry FC project and we wish him well in his new venture.
“We would like to take this opportunity to reassure our supporters that Kerry Football Club will continue to operate as normal and we are looking forward to a successful season in 2024 and beyond,” the statement read.
Dubliner Ainscough, who was involved in the game at a high level in Boston, was a major financier for the club and he encouraged a number of other US-based business people to invest in the Kerry FC project.
It was a real baptism of fire for the League One newcomers, however, as they won just one game, drew seven and lost 28 in 36 outings and they finished with a goal difference of minus 62.
That saw them cemented to the foot of the table on just 10 points, 27 adrift of second from bottom Finn harps and a whopping 84 points behind league winners Galway United.
It is also being reported this week that Kerry FC could also lost a number of its key players for the coming season with at least two reported to be on trials in the UK and another prominent player expected to transfer to another League of Ireland club.
They will be anxious to retain the services of key players like Killarney’s Ryan Kelliher, Ronan Teahan and player of the year Leo Gaxha and new first team coach, former Killarney Celtic player Conor McCarthy, said they are concentrating on recruitment to ensure they are properly equipped foe the 2024 season.
McCarthy takes over on the sideline from Billy Dennehy and, incidentally, Ainscough was involved in the decision to appoint the Killarney man.
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