Should #Students remove their curse over Stephen Kenny?

Supporters of Republic of Ireland Senior Interational Manager Stephen Kenny put in increasing resources justifying his position. Using other indicators of success is neccessary than the natural indicator of the final score/result.

Those who want Kenny to remain in the job request the resource of more ‘time’ without providing a chronology or targets over a span of time.

Or they apply a political formula “Domestic = Development” introducing the positive image of development by equating that positivity with domestic or nativist efforts.

Why are Stephen Kenny supporters so disengaged in defending his position by moving away from a natural indicator like full time score and promoting non-specific indicators (“time” and “more time”) or subjective formula (domestic = development)?

Returning to Stephen Kenny’s first appointment as Rep. of Ireland U21 manager in 2019 gives a clue to why his defenders are so resolute in protecting his position.

Stephen Kenny brought success as manager to Dundalk FC by signing finished product players, players who had proved themselves elsewhere. It won’t be a surprise to College & Universities Football League supporters he benefitted from #CUFL playing resources. In 2016, at his peak of prestigious success at the top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division and competing in an UEFA Europa League Group, Kenny gathered seven former UCD players direct signing of Collingwood Cup and CUFL champion Robbie Benson and indirect signings Andy Boyle, Ronan Finn, Darren Meenan, Ciarán Kilduff and David McMillan. Kenny has no excuse in not appreciating and knowledge of the CUFL season.

Another clue is Dundalk FC sponsored by Dundalk Institute of Technology, DKIT, it’s been on the backs of The Lilywhites shirts for many years. Stephen Kenny has no excuses not to be aware ofthe winter season Colleges & Universities Football League (CUFL) or multi-day tournaments run by Irish Universities Football Union (IUFU) including the Collingwood Cup.

The Irish Universities Football Union (IUFU) organises century old student competitions including in Men’s football Harding Cup (freshers/first years), Crowley Cup (second year) and Collingwood Cup (seniors, everyone). These all-island, all-Ireland competitions, showcasing the best in Third Level football in Ireland. Founded in 1914, the Collingwood Cup used to be a week long tournament with all eligible Universities entitled to participate. However increasing pressure over the years from some SSE Airtricity League clubs has caused the competition to move dates earlier and earlier in the winter season and reduce the number of days of the competition, introducing a knock-out qualifier round in January before a three-day tournament in early February.

The Rustler’s Collingwood Cup was organised for the dates Monday 04th to Wednesday 06th February 2019 at University Limerick, with the final held at the Market’s Field. This is a carefully negotiated compromised agreement allowing dual players CUFL/SSE Airtricity League to participate in the Collingwood Cup.

November 26th 2018 Stephen Kenny announced as U21 Rep of Ireland Manager with agreement he would take over Senior Manager after Euro 2020. https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/stephen-kenny-unveiled-as-ireland-u21-manager

January 24th 2019 Stephen Kenny announces a nativist “domestic” Under-21 three day training including a match with Republic of Ireland Amateur at Whitehall Stadium (Home Farm FC) and regular venue for non-FIFA Internationals and CUFL Finals. https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/ireland-u21-kenny-announces-squad-and-coaching-staff

Stephen Kenny admits to his ignorance of the Irish Football Calendar at the same press conference January 24th 2019 : ” I didn’t realise at the time to be honest that it clashed with the Collingwood Cup. I hadn’t realised that.” article from Emmet Malone The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/stephen-kenny-has-best-of-irish-in-mind-for-his-under-21-side-1.3769827

Liam Mackey Irish Examiner https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-30900004.html

The outcome was that four Collingwood Cup players were obliged to attend the FAI domestic U21 training and forego their University obligations, Conor Kearns, Liam Scales, Jamie Lennon and Neil Farrugia. Stephen Kenny’s defence of his choosing the dates was he didn’t know about the Irish Football calendar. This champion of domesticity is ignorant of the Irish Football Calendar.

Domestic U21 1:0 Irish Amateurs Commentator for the match Declan Hughes is UCD AFC Club Historian and commentating on matches at The UCD Bowl
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxZwHGJvpuQ

Despite Stephen Kenny’s disruption, it didn’t stop the football, just there was a tournament ready-made for him. He chose to reinvent the wheel.

Rustlers Collingwood Cup 2019 Final Market’s Field, UCC : UL
Video: Final highlights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0abuOiXfQXE
https://sport.ucc.ie/ucc-crowned-2019-collingwood-cup-champions

Since becoming Manager of the Republic of Ireland Senior Men’s team (MNT), earlier than negotiated, Stephen Kenny’s side suffer/celebrate winless runs. His defenders are resolute, their man is in the job. A simple question can be asked, should students remove their curse over Stephen Kenny?