Paddy Kenny
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Patrick Joseph Kenny | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Sheffield United | ||
| Number | 1 | ||
| ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 8 October 2006 | |||
Patrick Joseph "Paddy" Kenny (born 17 May 1978) is an Irish football player, who currently plays as a goalkeeper for Sheffield United in the Coca Cola Championship.
Club career
Early career
Born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, starting his career at Bradford Park Avenue, he left to join Bury in August 1998. To gain some first team experience, he was loaned to Whitby Town in the Unibond League in March 1999. In 2002, after making 145 appearances in league and cup competitions, he left Bury to join Sheffield United.
Sheffield United
Kenny initially joined Sheffield United on loan as cover for injured keeper Simon Tracey. Then manager Neil Warnock made his move permanent in October 2002, signing him for an undisclosed fee.
Kenny made his debut for the Blades whilst on loan in a 2–1 defeat away at Coventry City in August 2002[1] and subsequently went on to become first choice goalkeeper.
Kenny was voted United supporters' player of the season in 2003 and played every minute of United's promotion campaign to the Premiership in 2005/06, saving four out of five penalties which helped Sheffield United reach the Premiership.
He continued to be a key member of the Blades team in their season in the top flight but despite a number of impressive displays he was unable to help prevent the Blades from being relegated on the final day of the season.
Back in the Championship he maintained his position of being the club's number one keeper. With the team struggling Kenny maintained fine form with the only low point coming in February. Despite making several excellent saves, he mistakenly knocked the ball into his own net in extra time in a sixth round FA Cup replay against Middlesbrough, a goal which knocked Sheffield United out.[2]
He was virtually ever present for the Blades for the next twelve months but began to voice disquiet over his contract situation at the end of 2008,[3] despite manager Kevin Blackwell insisting that the club were set to open talks on a new deal.[4]. Despite this he was dropped for the Boxing Day game against Wolves after being late for training[5] and he was placed on the transfer list a few days later.[6] He was returned to the first team after sitting out two league games and was again ever present until the end of the season including an appearance at Wembley in the Championship play off Final. Although the blades missed out on promotion Kenny agreed a contract extension a few days later, effectively signalling his removal from the transfer list.[7]
Only a few weeks after signing a contract extension it was reported that Kenny had failed a drug test after the previous season's Championship play-off semi final. He tested positive for ephedrine, a banned substance, believed to have been contained in a cough medicine he bought over the counter.[8] Following an FA hearing in September 2009, he was banned from all professional football for 9 months.[9] Despite an unsuccessful appeal against his ban, the Blades still opted to agree a new contract extension with Kenny during his enforced absence from first team football.[10]
International career
Although born in England, he qualifies to play for Ireland as both his parents are of Irish descent. Following his impressive form he was called up by manager Brian Kerr and made his debut in a 1-0 friendly victory over Jamaica national football team.[11] He collected seven caps for the Republic of Ireland before in 2007 asking then manager Steve Staunton not to consider him for selection to allow him to sort out his personal issues.[12] By 2008 he wanted to return to international competition but was regularly overlooked as Shay Given of Manchester City was the preferred number 1.[13]
Personal life
In November 2006, despite being told by manager Neil Warnock to keep a low profile, Kenny went for a night on the town in Halifax. He became involved in a drunken brawl outside a curry house with a former friend, who admitted to having an affair with Kenny's wife. Kenny ended up having his eyebrow bitten off and required 12 stitches.[14][15]
References
- ^ "Coventry 2-1 Sheff Utd". BBC Sport. 2002-08-10. Retrieved 2007-11-28.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Middlesbrough 1-0 Sheff Utd (aet)". BBC Sport. 2008-02-27. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Kenny may quit United". thestar.co.uk. 2008-12-18. Retrieved 2008-12-29.
- ^ "'No problem with Kenny talks'". thestar.co.uk. 2008-12-19. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
- ^ "Blades drop 'late' Paddy". thestar.co.uk. 2008-12-27. Retrieved 2008-12-29.
- ^ "Blades put Kenny on transfer list". bbc.co.uk. 2008-12-29. Retrieved 2008-12-29.
- ^ "Double player boost". bbc.co.uk. 2009-05-28. Retrieved 2009-07-08.
- ^ "Goalkeeper Kenny fails drugs test". bbc.co.uk. 2009-07-07. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
- ^ "Keeper suspended for nine months". sufc.co.uk. 2009-09-07. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
- ^ "Paddy boost". sufc.co.uk. 2009-11-07. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ^ "Barrett shores up makeshift Ireland". The Independent. 2004-06-03. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
- ^ "Kenny to take a break". FAI.ie. 2007-01-27. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
- ^ "Paddy on hunger". sufc.co.uk. 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
- ^ "Star's pal bites off eyebrow". The Sun. 2006-11-16. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
- ^ "Warnock furious after Kenny brawl". bbc.co.uk. 2006-11-16. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
External links
- Paddy Kenny player profile at sufc.co.uk
- Paddy Kenny at Soccerbase