Kenna named Head Coach for 2018 Training Camp

The PFA Ireland 2018 Training Camp for out of contract players kicked off yesterday, 4 December in the multi sports pitches at the National Sports Campus.

This year the head coach on the camp will be Conor Kenna. The former UCD, Drogheda Utd, St. Patricks Athletic, Shamrock Rovers and Bray Wanderers centre half is relishing the chance to further his coaching career without dismissing the chance to prolong his playing days.

Kenna said,”While I would still like to continue playing if the right fit presents itself, my playing days are coming to an end and the chance to take charge of this camp was too good an opportunity to turn down. When you look at some of the previous managers and coaches on the camp, the likes of Trevor Croly, Stephen Bradley, Neale Fenn and Glenn Cronin and where they are now it shows that this camp presents a great stepping stone to furthering your coaching career within the domestic league and that’s where I see myself in the future.
I’d like to thank Stephen and his committee for this opportunity. I’ve been involved in this camp as a player and have seen firsthand how beneficial it is and I look forward to working with the players involved and ultimately helping them to gain employment for the 2019 season.

Kenna will be joined on the coaching staff by Gary Rogers and Brendan Clarke as goalkeeping coaches with Keith Browne looking after the physio needs, assisted by student Deirdre O'Brien.

Stephen McGuinness of the PFA Ireland commented,”We are delighted to have Conor on board as the Head Coach. He’s a model professional who has captained every club he has played for and I’m sure he’ll be a huge success as a coach and this camp wil give him valuable experience to take into his coaching career.
The camp again represents an opportunity for players to keep themselves fit and in a position to impress potential new suitors ahead of the start of pre season for the the 2019 campaign. The success rate of players on the camp gaining new employment is extremely high, around 90% and we are confident that this year will be no different.”