Kerry FC is delighted to welcome academy graduates Cianan Cooney and Sean O’Connell to the senior squad ahead of the upcoming SSE Airtricity First Division season.
Cooney, who is an 18-year-old Left Winger, began his trade with St Brendan’s Park. He signed for Kerry FC to play under-15 League of Ireland football before graduating to the under-17 squad. Cianan played with the Under 19 side in 2022 before making the move to the senior set-up ahead of the February kick-off.
O’Connell is also 18 years old and plays as a left-back. Similar to Cianan, Sean signed for the Kerry FC’s Under 15’s from the Park. He graduated to the Under 17’s before going on to captain the Under 19 side last season.
Speaking on the signing, Cianan Cooney said “To move up to senior level with Kerry is a big honour for me. My aim was always to play at senior level in the League of Ireland and to do it with my home club Kerry FC is very exciting for me. Of course, a huge thanks is owed to Billy Dennehy for signing me for the senior squad, I can’t wait to get going!
After putting pen to paper, Sean O’Connell said “It means an awful lot to sign for the senior Kerry FC side, especially when Billy is the manager. I played under him for the last two years, I think he’s a great manager. I just can’t wait for the season to start and wear the Kerry FC jersey again”
First-Team Manager Billy Dennehy said “Sean and Cianan are another two players who have come through the League of Ireland underage structures. They are two players that have the natural ability to play at the highest level of the game. But ultimately their attitude and their desire and commitment to improving over the next couple of years will be key to that. They were both up with the Republic of Ireland underage teams last year so that should give them an appetite to get back into the international setup in the future as well. In terms of the first team here in Kerry, I am excited to see how the two lads will develop in that environment and how they are able to compete at this level. So I am very happy for them to have the opportunity and looking forward to seeing how they develop over the weeks, months and years ahead.”
