Stephen Kenny is closing in on a major milestone: he'll have managed 1,000 club games in his trophy-laden career after Friday's Sports Direct FAI Cup semi-final against Cork City.
Kenny earned a crack at the Republic of Ireland job off the back of his exploits with Dundalk in Europe, but some of his best days have come in the FAI Cup. He led Longford Town to the final in 2001, losing to Roddy Collins' Bohemians, then lost another decider as Bohs boss against Dundalk in 2002 before getting over the line with Derry City (2006) and the Lilywhites (2015, 2018).
Now he's aiming to lead St Patrick's Athletic to glory.
The Saints must negotiate an awakward semi-final in Cork on Friday night (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 7pm), but the prospect of another trip to the Aviva Stadium is a tantalising one for a manager who knows exactly how it feels to get over the line on Irish football's marquee day.
"To get to the final is very special for all the supporters of all the clubs in the communities, the players and their families, and extended families," Kenny told RTÉ Sport.
"It can be quite an incredible occasion really to come out the right side, but we're not in the final so we can't discuss that.
"Turner's Cross is always a very tough venue and we'll have to earn it the hard way.
"We've had a tough cup draw. We've had to beat Shelbourne, the league champions. Then we had to beat Galway, who are always tough opponents. We've played Cork four times in the league but the cup is different. We've got to get oursleves right and make sure we're absolutely ready to put in a performance.
"(The cup) is very special. But all the players would feel that, and all of the Cork City players also would feel that. It's a big incentive for everyone."
Cork City have endured a tough campaign. They're 11 points adrift at the bottom of the league, almost certainly doomed to relegation, but the cup offers respite and a chance for redemption. Kenny is wary of being stung by an upset at a pumped-up Turner's Cross.
"Of course we have an opportunity that we want to grasp," he added. "It can evoke wonderful memories for everyone connected to St Patrick's Athletic, everyone connected to the club, the community, the supporters, players, familes. It can be a domino effect.
"Of course we want that, but we've got to detach ourselves from that really and focus on the football.
"We've got to do what we can to try and establish control of the game and get that win we need."
On reaching the landmark number of 1,000 matches in the dugout, Kenny reflected: "It's not something I was really aware of until recently. I've been very privileged to mange so many good players.
"Football is about players. The first thing as a coach, you must understand that it is about players. I've been so lucky to manage so many good players.
"I'm not finished. I've still a lot of ambition and still a desire to constantly improve and get better."
Stephen Kenny will manage his 1000th game in club football when St Pat's travel to Cork City for Friday night's Sports Direct FAI Cup semi-final against Cork City, live on @RTE2 and @RTEplayer #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/Gr5X7g9pMr
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 30, 2025
Kenny was also asked about the overall health of the domestic game with the FAI hoping thir submission ahead of the upcoming budget will prove successful as they seek funds to help LOI academies and improve the health of the game nationwide.
"The need for full-time coaching is very evident," he added. "Training hours are miles behind other European countries and that's been well documented.
"It's decades of neglect from successive governments who just haven't been interested in football in Ireland. Okay they go and watch the interantional team or if there's World Cup they go along, but they've not really been interested, very little interest in the league.
"I think it's the growth in communities around clubs that's forced this issue to the table really. Supporters of clubs around the country have galvanised clubs and understood there can be a bright future for clubs."
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Watch the Sports Direct FAI Cup semi-finals with RTÉ Sport. Cork City v St Patrick's Athletic on Friday from 7pm and Shamrock Rovers v Kerry on Sunday from 5.30pm. Both matches also on RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport.
