Ipswich Town secured promotion to the English Premier League on Saturday with a 2-0 win over relegated Huddersfield Town at Portman Road.
The architect behind the Tractor Boys return to the top tier of English football is an Enniskillen man – Kieran McKenna who has managed Ipswich to successive promotions – from League One to the Premier League.
Members of McKenna’s family watched from the stands as Premiership football was secured.
Photographs from the Manor House Country Hotel near Enniskillen showed fans celebrating the club’s win – days after the hotel promised it would turn “blue and white this weekend” in honour of the club.
McKenna’s family previously moved from London after buying the hotel and turned it into an award-winning venue.
The hotel’s Facebook page also promised followers that anyone wearing an Ipswich jersey will get a free pint.
Local clubs in the Erne County sent their congratulations to McKenna, including his local GAA club Enniskillen Gaels.
Massive achievement for @IpswichTown and Kieran McKenna. We are all delighted for you. Enjoy the party! pic.twitter.com/cP8DZuJZRu
— Enniskillen Gaels (@EKNGAELS) May 4, 2024
McKenna, who’s 37, is a former assistant coach at Manchester United – and his name had also been in the Republic of Ireland manager’s conversation in recent times.
As a footballer, he played with Enniskillen Town and Ballinamallard United growing up, before joining Tottenham Hotspur as a youth player a spell.
McKenna also played club gaelic football with Enniskillen Gaels.
He played for Northern Ireland at under-19 and under-21 level but it’s as a coach and manager where the Erne man has developed his reputation.
