FAI Cup legend John Ryan has signed for new Kildare County boss Dermot Keely.
The Meath based striker has made the move to Newbridge from Dundalk and will be a key component in Keely's plans to win promotion from the eircom League's First Division at the first attempt.
John Ryan signs for new Kildare boss Keely (Sportsfile)
Ryan was in the Dundalk squad that won this year's FAI Cup final against Bohemians but will be best remembered for his hat-trick for Bray in the 1990 final against St Francis.
"This is a new start for soccer in Kildare, a new start for Dermot and a new start for me," said Ryan.
"I am delighted to be part of this exciting new development in Kildare. I had a long chat with Dermot and his enthusiasm and ambition is infectious.
"I am really looking forward to working with him and to playing for Kildare. These are exciting times for the new club and it's great to be a part of it."
Keely's appointment to the eircom League's newest club was formally announced at a press conference on Sunday.
"This is an exciting job for me. Unique because we are starting from scratch but maybe that was what attracted me to Kildare County FC, the fact that it's an opportunity to have an influence on the start of something with such enormous potential," said Keely.
Kildare County FC's arrival onto the eircom League scene is a massive boost to soccer in the district and is the natural progression after several milestones in the game in the Thoroughbred County.
"Soccer is growing at an enormous rate in the county and the emergence of Kildare County FC as an eircom League club is a fantastic boost to everybody involved in the game in the county," said KDSL director Pat McNally.
"The appointment of such a highly-regarded figure as Dermot Keely to the manager's position will add to the excitement this project has already generated."
The cornerstone of Kildare County FC's ethos will be to reach out to the whole county - and they've made enormous strides in that direction by guaranteeing a place on the board to both the KDSL and the KDFL, which means that every club in the county has the opportunity to feel a part of the new eircom League club.
"This project is for all of Kildare soccer," said Celbridge-based Kildare County FC chairman Pat O'Hanlon.
"Soccer is hugely popular throughout the entire county and we want to take the club to the four corners of Kildare."
Kildare County FC will play its home matches at Station Road, Newbridge. Saturday night will be eircom League night in the county and their first competitive game is scheduled for July 6 against Cobh Ramblers.
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