In one of the Irish League’s most surprising managerial twists, the exceptionally esteemed Kenny Shiels has taken the reins at Premier Intermediate League outfit Moyola Park.
22 years on from his last stint in charge, and with a wealth of experience under his belt, Shiels has filled the vacancy at one of the Irish League’s oldest institutions that was left following Stephen Hughes’ exit from the hotseat.
Shiels, who masterminded the historic feat last year that was the Northern Ireland Women’s side reaching their first major tournament, had been out of management since leaving that role in January this year – but he is back in the game.
Just not quite where you might expect.
Moyola, who won the first-ever iteration of the Irish Cup back in 1881, sit fourth from bottom in the PIL at the time of writing, but Shiels’ hire has fuelled optimism that better days are yet to come for the Castledawson club.
The outfit are currently playing their home games at the Coleraine Showgrounds while their Mill Meadow home undergoes renovation work, although a return of just four points from half a dozen fixtures to start the campaign suggests they are still adapting to the new territory.
That shouldn’t be a problem for Maghera man Shiels, who spent six years in charge of the Bannsiders at the tail end of the 20th Century.
Having also steered the ships at Ballymena United, Carrick Rangers and Larne in a coaching career spanning over 30 years, this is also Shiels’ first posting in the Irish League since departing the latter in 2006.
In the 17 interluding years, he has held positions with the Northern Ireland Men’s Under-17 and Women’s sides, Tranmere Rovers, Kilmarnock – where he won the Scottish League Cup in 2012 – Greenock Morton, Thailand team BEC-Tero Sasana and, most recently club-wise, Derry City – he won a League Cup there, too, in 2018.
You could scarcely make the case, then, that he has brought a knife to a gunfight by foraying into the Northern Ireland third-tier.
Shiels, whose son, Dean, helped Dungannon Swifts to top-flight survival last term, is an ever-intriguing character who has not been shy in expressing his views on matters over the years.
And with a trophy haul that also includes County Antrim Shield successes with Carrick (1993) and Ballymena (2003), he is another big name to enter the PIL this term alongside the likes of Warrenpoint boss Barry Gray and flying full-back Conor McDermott with Lisburn Distillery.
The third rung is a fresh challenge for Shiels. But history will tell you that he is no stranger to one of those.
Following on from bringing international women’s football to new highs in this part of the world, he will relish the assignment ahead – and, after his initial stint at Moyola ended in 2001, he will be eager to show that he has unfinished business.
The best of luck to Shiels on this venture. It’s great to have him back in the Irish League.
Featured image from Irish FA website.
- It’s unfair to put blame at feet of Linfield and Cliftonville for Irish Cup Final crowd disorder
A penny for the thoughts of Linfield and Cliftonville this week. This year’s Irish Cup Final was a spectacular in every sense. Nearly 15,000 packed inside Windsor Park for the biggest-attended domestic fixture in Northern Ireland this century and an occasion to savour that, for the most part, featured backing from both sides that supported… Read more: It’s unfair to put blame at feet of Linfield and Cliftonville for Irish Cup Final crowd disorder - Irish League chiefs must improve provisions in place to attract younger fans and families
Let’s get a basic fact of life out of the way first – no one likes a price hike. No one likes a price hike in the same way that no one likes paying taxes, bills, debts, insurance and other such necessary expenses which, in themselves, are rising amid a general rise in the cost… Read more: Irish League chiefs must improve provisions in place to attract younger fans and families - How the Irish FA’s new ‘Conference Layer’ for intermediate football can be big hit or own goal
Changes to the intermediate football sphere in Northern Ireland have long been touted and, going by the Irish FA’s latest update on the topic, closer than ever to coming to fruition. From the 2026-27 campaign, a new ‘Conference Layer’ will be in effect as part of a radical shake-up of the intermediate levels of the… Read more: How the Irish FA’s new ‘Conference Layer’ for intermediate football can be big hit or own goal - Steven McCullough’s crucial goal in relegation play-off seals him as a Ballymena United great
There’s been a change in priorities for Ballymena United during recent years – albeit not necessarily the type supporters would’ve perhaps wanted. In 2019, the Braidmen were the second best team in the Irish League. Runners-up behind Linfield that year, and just seven points adrift of top spot, the peak years of David Jeffrey’s tenure… Read more: Steven McCullough’s crucial goal in relegation play-off seals him as a Ballymena United great - Ending Cliftonville’s Irish Cup drought proves Jim can fix it… now he must target league glory
Finally, it’s Cliftonville’s year in the Irish Cup. An agonising waiting game ends at last and a drought that lasted 45 painful years is over in one burst of champagne rain. Since 1979, the Reds have contrived to fail in various ways in their pursuit of that elusive ninth Irish Cup – until a man… Read more: Ending Cliftonville’s Irish Cup drought proves Jim can fix it… now he must target league glory
Football Chatters 
Leave a comment