Former Notts County defender Kieran Cooney has completed a move into Ireland’s second tier after joining Kerry FC ahead of the 2026 season.
The 21-year-old has signed for Kerry FC following a brief but eye-catching stint with Finn Harps. It marks another chapter in a career that began in England with Notts County before taking shape in Irish football over the past 12 months.
Cooney, a Saint Kitts and Nevis international, joined Finn Harps in July 2025 and went on to make 13 appearances in the second half of the season. His impact included a decisive header against Kerry at Mounthawk Park in August, a performance that did not go unnoticed by the Tralee club. That goal came in a 1-0 win for Harps and would later prove an early audition for his new employers.
Impressing in a trial
Having impressed during a trial spell with Kerry in pre-season, including another headed goal in a friendly against Treaty United, Cooney earned a permanent deal and will wear the number five shirt in 2026. The move comes just weeks before Kerry open their league campaign away to UCD, with head coach Colin Healy keen to bolster his squad ahead of the new season.
Speaking after completing the switch, Cooney made clear that the chance to step into the Premier Division was a major factor.
“I’m really happy to have signed for Kerry ahead of the new season,” he said. “After training with the lads and speaking to Colin prior to signing, I knew this move would be right for me in my own development and career. I am looking forward to a great season ahead and playing in front of all the Kerry fans.”
From Kerry’s perspective, the signing blends immediate familiarity with long-term potential. Healy highlighted both Cooney’s recent league experience and his wider background.
“We are delighted to get Kieran signed ahead of the 2026 season,” he said. “He came in a couple of weeks ago and has really impressed in training. We know what he is capable of from his time in Finn Harps as well, so all in all, we are very happy to have him in the Kerry jersey for the season ahead.”
Cooney’s pathway has been a varied one. Raised in England, he progressed through the Notts County academy and featured around the club’s senior setup before opting to continue his career in Ireland. After starting out in the First Division, he now arrives at Kerry as a player stepping into the top tier, offering defensive depth and versatility to a side that finished ninth last season, three points behind Finn Harps.
Kerry’s ambition
For Kerry, the deal underlines their ambition ahead of the next campaign, especially given they only formed four years ago. Young English players can be afforded football at a higher level in places like Ireland, where the player pool is smaller. It’s not unusual for a player who didn’t make it in England to hop across the Irish sea and be a huge success.
That’s why, for Cooney, it represents a good move. A former Notts County prospect leaving Meadow Lane might have found a home in the National League North, but now he’s just one promotion away from top-flight football and the challenges that offer, which can only be good for development.