Colin Healy is back in football after landing League of Ireland job
Colin Healy is back in football after being appointed manager of First Division side Kerry FC.
He succeeds Conor McCarthy, who at 26 was the youngest manager in the League of Ireland. But McCarthy will remain at the club as part of Healy's backroom team.
Healy said: 'I'm very grateful for the opportunity and feel so hungry to get going.'
Ex-Ireland international Healy was most recently part of the Irish women senior team's coaching staff, but his exit from the FAI was shrouded in controversy.
Following Ireland's Euro 2025 playoff defeat to Wales, the FAI decided not to renew Eileen Gleeson's contract as manager.
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Assistant boss Healy claimed he had assurances from the FAI that he would remain on the ticket under the next manager, but the FAI denied this. He also said he turned down the Cobh Ramblers job to stay with the women's team, on the understanding he was going to be kept on.
Healy, who later made a formal complaint to the FAI, has been through an extraordinarily difficult time personally, following the death of his wife Kelly last April.
Various figures in the game - including Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley - were strongly critical of the FAI for their handling of the Healy situation.
But Kerry FC have today moved for the former Celtic, Sunderland, Ipswich Town and Cork City midfielder, appointing him as their manager with immediate effect.
In a statement, Kerry FC said: 'Colin Healy is a highly respected figure in Irish football and brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and passion. That perfectly aligns with the club's long-term vision, core values, and commitment to striving for excellence.'
Of his move, Healy said: 'The last year has been the toughest of my life since losing my wife, Kelly. During that time, my main focus has been to help my two young children cope with the loss of their mother and help them find some form of normality.
'On behalf of my family, I would sincerely like to thank every person who has supported me privately and publicly.'
Healy continued: 'Kerry is a very special sporting county, and the club has made incredible strides over the past few years. During our conversations, Billy Dennehy's passion and unwavering dedication to the continued growth of the game in Kerry has been so impressive.
'In combination with John Wall's support, I believe Kerry FC are at the beginning of a very special journey. I will do everything I can to help build on the exceptional work which has already been done at the club.'
Former Kerry boss McCarthy will be joining Healy's staff, and the rest of the coaching ticket remains unchanged.
Outgoing boss McCarthy said: 'Working alongside Colin Healy will be an invaluable experience, and I look forward to contributing to the club's success in a new capacity.'
Kerry FC chief executive Billy Dennehy was a Cork City team-mate of Healy's in 2014 and 2015 and said: 'Colin's appointment marks a significant step in our short history. Colin's vast experience and understanding of what it takes to build a successful club made him the clear choice to help us climb this mountain of Irish football.'
Healy's first game in charge will be this Friday's Munster derby clash with Limerick rivals Treaty United at Mounthawk Park.
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