Mick Kennedy
Encyclopedia
Michael Francis Martin "Mick" Kennedy (born 9 April 1961 in Salford, England
) was a former professional
footballer who played for 10 clubs in a career spanning through the 1980s and 1990s. He also gained two caps
for Ireland
during his career.
and Portsmouth
in the First Division. Kennedy was famous for his tough tackling style which often lead to him being cautioned by referees, but also endeared him to his own fans. Kennedy was also renowned for a powerful long range shot and for his nerveless conversion of many important penalties throughout his career.
Kennedy earned his two international caps in an international competition in May 1986. The competition held in Reykjavik
, Iceland
, with the Republic of Ireland
and Czechoslovakia
joining the hosts in a three team competition. Ireland beat Iceland
2–1 and Czechoslovakia 1–0 to win the trophy. Although Kennedy played well in both games, even hitting the post against Iceland with a great volley, he was never selected by Jack Charlton
again.
In recent years Kennedy has returned to live in County Clare
, Ireland where his parents originate. He is now involved in coaching successful local side Lifford A.F.C.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
) was a former professional
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
footballer who played for 10 clubs in a career spanning through the 1980s and 1990s. He also gained two caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
during his career.
Career
Kennedy was a left sided midfielder who came to prominence in the early 1980s when he had successful spells with MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
and Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
in the First Division. Kennedy was famous for his tough tackling style which often lead to him being cautioned by referees, but also endeared him to his own fans. Kennedy was also renowned for a powerful long range shot and for his nerveless conversion of many important penalties throughout his career.
Kennedy earned his two international caps in an international competition in May 1986. The competition held in Reykjavik
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
, Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
, with the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
and Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia national football team
The Czechoslovakia national football team was the national association football team of Czechoslovakia from 1922 to 1993. At the dissolution of Czechoslovakia at the end of 1992, the team was participating in UEFA qualifying Group 4 for the 1994 World Cup; it completed this campaign under the name...
joining the hosts in a three team competition. Ireland beat Iceland
Iceland national football team
The Iceland national football team is the national football team of Iceland and is controlled by the Football Association of Iceland. It has never advanced to the finals of any major international competition....
2–1 and Czechoslovakia 1–0 to win the trophy. Although Kennedy played well in both games, even hitting the post against Iceland with a great volley, he was never selected by Jack Charlton
Jack Charlton
John "Jack" Charlton, OBE, DL is a former footballer and manager who played for Leeds United in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and was part of the England team who won the 1966 World Cup...
again.
In recent years Kennedy has returned to live in County Clare
County Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
, Ireland where his parents originate. He is now involved in coaching successful local side Lifford A.F.C.