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Sunday World
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Sunday World
Shock at sudden death of ‘inspiratonal' Fermanagh soccer coach (40)
Michael Kerr (40) was a father of three and died at his home near Florencecourt in Co. Fermanagh. The local football community is in shock after the sudden death of a manager – days after he was appointed to a new role. Michael Kerr – one of the most successful players and managers in junior football in Northern Ireland – passed away yesterday. The 40-year-old, a father of three, died at his home near Florencecourt in Co Fermanagh. A death notice said he was a dearly loved husband and a devoted father. Mr Kerr, who was appointed as manager of Beragh Swifts last week, helped Enniskillen Rangers to three Mercer League titles and four Junior Cups. Michael Kerr. Photo: Fermanagh and Western Football League/Facebook News in 90 Seconds - 15th June 2025 Neil Jardine, chairman of the Fermanagh & Western Football League, has led tributes. He said everybody connected with the league was 'deeply shocked and saddened'. 'Michael was associated with local football for over 25 years, from his time with the then Fermanagh Milk Cup team, through playing spells with Enniskillen Town United, Ballinamallard United, Monaghan United and of course Enniskillen Rangers,' he said. 'Michael took over as player-manager of Rangers as they emerged from a period in Division 2 & 3 and as the facilities at the Ball Range opened. 'In that time he led them to three Mercer League titles, five Kennedy Cups and four Irish Junior Cups including becoming only the third team to win three in a row since the inception of the competition in 1887. 'After stepping down from the Rangers job in 2021, Michael still contributed by winning the club's first Mulhern Cup since 1999 as a player. 'Retirement was short lived as he took up the reins again for the start of the 2022-23 season. 'In September he led the first side from the North to win the IFA/FAI President's Cup, officially becoming All-Ireland champions. 'In 2022 and 2023, Michael managed the Fermanagh & Western Select side against Sligo & Leitrim District Soccer League, leading the team to wins in both games and firmly re-establishing the value of the representative game after a long break. 'Whilst we remember Michael's achievements in the local game, which stand alongside many of the greats to have graced our league, our immediate thoughts and heartfelt sympathies go out to his wife Donna and their three young daughters, his parents Dessie and Dee and sister Michelle along with the extended families.' Enniskillen Rangers, the club that Mr Kerr led to so much success, described him as a legend of the local game. 'We have lost a club legend, but more than that, we have lost a true friend,' the club said today. 'Ironically, his passing took place on the same afternoon the club had gathered to celebrate his outstanding achievements. There will be a time in the future to reflect on and record Michael's achievements in football and his life." Another of Mr Kerr's former clubs, Ballinamallard, also paid tribute. 'Michael was great footballer and inspiration to all involved around him at any level of the game,' the club said. 'Michael enjoyed spells with the Mallards at Youth level and in the Championship. 'Of course his time in management with Enniskillen Rangers Football Club speaks for itself.'
Belfast Telegraph
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Shock at sudden death of NI football club's manager: ‘A great player and inspiration to all'
Latest | The local football community is in shock after the sudden death of a manager – days after he was appointed to a new role. Michael Kerr – one of the most successful players and managers in junior football in Northern Ireland – passed away yesterday. The 40-year-old, a father of three, died at his home near Florencecourt in Co Fermanagh. A death notice said he was a dearly loved husband and a devoted father. Mr Kerr, who was appointed as manager of Beragh Swifts last week, helped Enniskillen Rangers to three Mercer League titles and four Junior Cups. Neil Jardine, chairman of the Fermanagh & Western Football League, has led tributes. He said everybody connected with the league was 'deeply shocked and saddened'. 'Michael was associated with local football for over 25 years, from his time with the then Fermanagh Milk Cup team, through playing spells with Enniskillen Town United, Ballinamallard United, Monaghan United and of course Enniskillen Rangers,' he said. 'Michael took over as player-manager of Rangers as they emerged from a period in Division 2 & 3 and as the facilities at the Ball Range opened. 'In that time he led them to three Mercer League titles, five Kennedy Cups and four Irish Junior Cups including becoming only the third team to win three in a row since the inception of the competition in 1887. 'After stepping down from the Rangers job in 2021, Michael still contributed by winning the club's first Mulhern Cup since 1999 as a player. 'Retirement was short lived as he took up the reins again for the start of the 2022-23 season. 'In September he led the first side from the North to win the IFA/FAI President's Cup, officially becoming All-Ireland champions. 'In 2022 and 2023, Michael managed the Fermanagh & Western Select side against Sligo & Leitrim District Soccer League, leading the team to wins in both games and firmly re-establishing the value of the representative game after a long break. 'Whilst we remember Michael's achievements in the local game, which stand alongside many of the greats to have graced our league, our immediate thoughts and heartfelt sympathies go out to his wife Donna and their three young daughters, his parents Dessie and Dee and sister Michelle along with the extended families.' Enniskillen Rangers, the club that Mr Kerr led to so much success, described him as a legend of the local game. 'We have lost a club legend, but more than that, we have lost a true friend,' the club said today. 'Ironically, his passing took place on the same afternoon the club had gathered to celebrate his outstanding achievements. There will be a time in the future to reflect on and record Michael's achievements in football and his life." Another of Mr Kerr's former clubs, Ballinamallard, also paid tribute. 'Michael was great footballer and inspiration to all involved around him at any level of the game,' the club said. 'Michael enjoyed spells with the Mallards at Youth level and in the Championship. 'Of course his time in management with Enniskillen Rangers Football Club speaks for itself.'
Belfast Telegraph
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Shock at sudden death of NI football club manager: ‘A great player and inspiration to all'
Beragh Swifts manager Michael Kerr passed away suddenly yesterday. The 40-year-old, a father of three, died at his home near Florencecourt in Co Fermanagh. A death notice said he was a dearly loved husband and a devoted father. Mr Kerr, who was appointed as boss of Beragh Swifts last week, led Enniskillen Rangers to three Mercer League titles and four Junior Cups. Neil Jardine, chairman of the Fermanagh & Western Football League, has led tributes. He said everybody connected with the league was 'deeply shocked and saddened'. 'Michael was associated with local football for over 25 years, from his time with the then Fermanagh Milk Cup team, through playing spells with Enniskillen Town United, Ballinamallard United, Monaghan United and of course Enniskillen Rangers,' he said. 'Michael took over as player-manager of Rangers as they emerged from a period in Division 2 & 3 and as the facilities at the Ball Range opened. 'In that time he held them to three Mercer League titles, five Kennedy Cups and four Irish Junior Cups including becoming only the third team to win three in a row since the inception of the competition in 1887. 'After stepping down from the Rangers job in 2021, Michael still contributed by winning the club's first Mulhern Cup since 1999 as a player. 'Retirement was short lived as he took up the reins again for the start of the 2022-23 season. 'In September he led the first side from the North to win the IFA/FAI President's Cup, officially becoming All-Ireland champions. News Catch Up - Thursday 12th June 'In 2022 and 2023, Michael managed the Fermanagh & Western Select side against Sligo & Leitrim District Soccer League, leading the team to wins in both games and firmly re-establishing the value of the representative game after a long break. 'Whilst we remember Michael's achievements in the local game, which stand alongside many of the greats to have graced our league, our immediate thoughts and heartfelt sympathies go out to his wife Donna and their three young daughters, his parents Dessie and Dee and sister Michelle along with the extended families.' Mr Kerr's former club Ballinamallard also paid tribute to their former player. 'Michael was great footballer and inspiration to all involved around him at any level of the game,' the club said. 'Michael enjoyed spells with the Mallards at Youth level and in the Championship. 'Of course his time in management with Enniskillen Rangers Football Club speaks for itself.'
Belfast Telegraph
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Shock at sudden death of NI football club's manager
Latest | The local football community is in shock after the death of a manager – days after he was appointed to a new role. Beragh Swifts manager Michael Kerr passed away suddenly yesterday. The 40-year-old, a father of three, died at his home near Florencecourt in Co Fermanagh. A death notice said he was a dearly loved husband and a devoted father. Mr Kerr, who was appointed as boss of Beragh Swifts last week, led Enniskillen Rangers to three Mercer League titles and four Junior Cups. Neil Jardine, chairman of the Fermanagh & Western Football League, has led tributes. He said everybody connected with the league was 'deeply shocked and saddened'. News Catch Up - Thursday 12th June 'Michael was associated with local football for over 25 years, from his time with the then Fermanagh Milk Cup team, through playing spells with Enniskillen Town United, Ballinamallard United, Monaghan United and of course Enniskillen Rangers,' he said. 'Michael took over as player-manager of Rangers as they emerged from a period in Division 2 & 3 and as the facilities at the Ball Range opened. 'In that time he held them to three Mercer League titles, five Kennedy Cups and four Irish Junior Cups including becoming only the third team to win three in a row since the inception of the competition in 1887. 'After stepping down from the Rangers job in 2021, Michael still contributed by winning the club's first Mulhern Cup since 1999 as a player. 'Retirement was short lived as he took up the reins again for the start of the 2022-23 season. 'In September he led the first side from the North to win the IFA/FAI President's Cup, officially becoming All-Ireland champions. 'In 2022 and 2023, Michael managed the Fermanagh & Western Select side against Sligo & Leitrim District Soccer League, leading the team to wins in both games and firmly re-establishing the value of the representative game after a long break. 'Whilst we remember Michael's achievements in the local game, which stand alongside many of the greats to have graced our league, our immediate thoughts and heartfelt sympathies go out to his wife Donna and their three young daughters, his parents Dessie and Dee and sister Michelle along with the extended families.' Mr Kerr's former club Ballinamallard also paid tribute to their former player. 'Michael was great footballer and inspiration to all involved around him at any level of the game,' the club said. 'Michael enjoyed spells with the Mallards at Youth level and in the Championship. 'Of course his time in management with Enniskillen Rangers Football Club speaks for itself.'
Irish Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Community stunned at death of father of three and four-time Junior Cup winner
The town of Enniskillen and the wider football community has been plunged into mourning following the tragic passing of Michael Kerr. The affable Enniskillen man was in charge for all four of Enniskillen Rangers' Irish Junior Cup successes, with the club claiming three-in-a-row from 2017-2019, and he led the team out as player manager at The National Stadium at Windsor Park for the first of those triumphs. He only stepped down as Rangers manager last month after a decade in charge and had recently agreed to become manager of Tyrone side Beragh Swifts for the 2025/26 season. Kerr, 40, took ill suddenly on Saturday and his death has left the close-knit Enniskillen community stunned. He is survived by his wife Donna and three young children, Annie-Mae, Cara and Colleen. Kerr worked as MFC Sports Football Development Manager, a well-known team-wear company in Northern Ireland and beyond. Hundreds of tributes and messages have been posted on social media with people sharing their shock and sympathy while recalling a special footballer and manager, but more importantly, a true gentleman. The chairman of the Fermanagh and Western League Neil Jardine shared his own emotional tribute on Sunday morning. He said: "Everybody connected with the Fermanagh & Western Football League, whether it be a player, official, administrator or supporter was deeply shocked and saddened by the news yesterday that Michael Kerr had passed away at the age of 40. "Michael was associated with local football for over twenty-five years, from his time with the then Fermanagh Milk Cup team, through playing spells with Enniskillen Town United, Ballinamallard United, Monaghan United and of course Enniskillen Rangers. "In September he led the first side from the North to win the IFA/FAI President's Cup, officially becoming All-Ireland Champions. In 2022 and 2023, Michael managed the Fermanagh & Western Select side against Sligo & Leitrim District Soccer League, leading the team to wins in both games and firmly re-establishing the value of the Representative game after a long break. "Whilst we remember Michael's achievements in the local game which stand along many of the greats to have graced our League, our immediate thoughts and heartfelt sympathy go out to his wife Donna and their three young daughters, his parents Dessie and Dee and sister Michelle along with the extended families. Rest in peace Michael." Former Dungannon Swifts manager Dixie Robinson said: "Absolutely gutted to hear the unbelievable news at the loss of Michael Kerr. A fantastic football man and a great man. Sincere sympathies to his immediate family and all of his football friends. May he RIP." A youth football tournament due to be held in the town on Sunday has been postponed. In all at Enniskillen Rangers, Kerr won three Fermanagh and Western League titles, four Irish Junior Cups, one Mulhern Cup and one All-Ireland Junior Cup in charge of Enniskillen Rangers. 'To lead the team out to Windsor Park for the first Junior Cup final is something I will never forget," Kerr told Belfast Live in 2021 when asked for the highlight of his tenure. "I brought my daughter with me who was only one or two at the time, so that was an unbelievable moment." The Kerr family are well known for their devotion to football locally, with Michael's father Dessie a decorated former Rangers player and more recently a referee in the Fermanagh and Western Football League.
