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Kenny Browne Stephen Bennett talks to tonight's Guest of Honour at Richmond Park.
St Pat's was by far the best time I had in my career In the illustrious history of St Patrick's Athletic central defenders, a few names trip off the tongue. Paul McGrath, Damien Byrne, John McDonnell, Colm Foley, Packie Lynch, Conor Kenna, Lee Desmond. Add to that list the name of Kenny Browne. Waterford born and bred. And a thoroughbred Saint during a glorious period in the club's history. Kenny recently made his decision to retire from the game at the young age of 33. Having spent most of his 16year League of Ireland career injuryfree, a bad calf injury caught up with him. Kenny will be here at Richmond Park tonight as a guest of the club, and he spoke to The Saint about a stellar career that yielded a SSE Airtricity Premier Division title, two FAI Cups, a First Division title and two League Cups at Waterford United, Waterford FC, Sporting Fingal and St Pat's. Four of those winners' medals were won at St Pat's in a golden era between 2013 and 2016 under Liam Buckley and a brilliant central defensive partnership with Conor Kenna. Browne speaks of a special understanding with Kenna that brought so much success to Richmond Park. "We just complemented each other. Any time we didn't alongside each other we struggled," he says. "We matched each other. I was a ballplaying centrehalf and
Conor was an unbelievable talker and organiser. "I just went out and played, whereas Conor was miles ahead and he'd see things happening on the pitch that I wouldn't notice. "He was brilliant. Sean Hoare was coming through as well and I knew Sean was going to be a top, top player." In a long and fruitful career, Kenny's memories of playing for St Pat's remain his most memorable. "Pat's would definitely have been the best. I signed for the club and I knew Liam, but I didn't know much about the club. It's a real familybased club," he said. "Everyone was treated the same. And we won everything there, the League, the FAI Cup, the League Cup. We had a good run in Europe. By far the best time." After his first season at St Pat's in 2012, Shamrock Rovers came calling. A strong season where Browne established himself at the heart of the Saints defence brought interest from the Inchicore club's bitter rivals. There was, however, the small matter of a FAI Cup final against Derry City at the Aviva Stadium. It was Browne's sliding doors moment. Attempting to bridge a 51year gap from the last time St Pat's won it, the pressure weighed heavily on the players. More heartbreak befell the club as Derry City prevailed 3 2 after extratime. Browne blamed himself for the winning goal and duly turned his back on a move to Rovers. "I was at fault for the winning goal. I always blame myself anyway. A lot of people say it wasn't my fault," he reveals. "I was going to sign for Shamrock Rovers that year, and I made that mistake in the Cup final and I said 'I can't leave on that basis.' "I'd promised fellahs I'd sign. But I did a uturn." Browne stayed with St Pat's and got his redemption in the FAI Cup two years later, beating Derry in the final to boot.
Pats v Waterford, FAI Cup replay, September 2009.
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"That meant so much to me, after being at fault for the winning goal in 2012," he said.
St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford • Vol. 32 • No. 1 • 2020 Season
