St Pat's captain thinks Stephen Kenny would be good appointment

Captain Joe Redmond thinks Stephen Kenny’s appointment would be good for St Patrick’s Athletic but he’s still reeling from the shock sacking of Jon Daly.

Redmond was among the players informed via a group message on Tuesday morning that Daly had been dismissed by owner Garrett Kelleher just six months after he’d masterminded an FAI Cup triumph and third place finish in the league.

Various theories have surfaced for Kelleher acting so swiftly and decisively within hours of Monday’s 1-0 defeat at Sligo Rovers, foremost that an alternative boss was in the sights of the billionaire benefactor.

Kelleher has placed Kenny, himself sacked as Ireland manager in November, at the top of his targets and negotiations on a prospective homecoming to the club his coaching career began at, while slow, have not been aborted.

Redmond was anointed as club captain in 2022 at the age of just 24, lifting that Cup at Lansdowne Road, and is currently sidelined with an ankle injury he’ll be at least three weeks away from shaking off.

Daly’s sidekick Sean O’Connor will take temporary charge for Friday’s trip to champions Shamrock Rovers but a permanent boss, be it Kenny or another candidate such as Stephen Rice, is expected by the following weekend when they host both Derry City and Shelbourne over three days.

“I’ve not spoken to anybody about who the club are talking to but Stephen has a lot of experience in the league and managed Ireland,” admitted Redmond, a former teammate of Jude Bellingham during their time together at Birmingham City’s U21s.

“We were told on our day off Tuesday and when we got back training on Wednesday, it was all about looking to Friday’s game. The next game is so important that we can’t sulk or moan about anything. We’ve