Kenna to stay

THE future of Jeff Kenna as Galway United manager was confirmed last night as two days of talks between the former Republic of Ireland international and the club’s Chief Executive Officer, Nick Leeson, finally bore fruit. With just two players under contract for the 2009 season – both of them understood to be keen to leave – and others reluctant to sign new deals with so much uncertainty over the team management, the club’s Board of Directors had hoped to iron out a deal with Kenna by lunchtime on Wednesday.Talks remained on-going until last night with both Kenna and club officials unable or unwilling to reveal whether or not a deal had been cut to keep him at Terryland Park.However, a statement from the club last night confirmed that a deal had been brokered to keep the former Ireland international full back at Terryland Park for the new season with Ian Foster again to be his assistant.Kenna joined Galway United in April and helped secure the club's Premier Division status with a very strong finish to the season in addition to reaching the semi-finals of the Ford FAI Cup and the semi finals of the eircom League Cup."I had a number of things to consider since the end of the season and I am grateful to Galway United for allowing me the opportunity to do that,” Kenna said last night."The best thing at this stage is to...