Kieran Kennedy

AFC Fylde On 23 March 2017, Kennedy returned to England and joined National League North side AFC Fylde. He made two substitute appearances for Dave Challinor's "Coasters" as Fylde secured promotion as league champions at the end of the 2016–17 season. He scored his first competitive goal in a 2–0 win at Chester City on 28 August. He helped the "Silkmen" to keep a total of 14 clean sheets in his 35 appearances as Macclesfield won promotion to the English Football League as champions of the National League in 2017–18. Manager John Askey said that "it took us about six months to get him properly fit because he had been out ill for six months, but once he was fit he was a completely different player who has got a lot of ability".

Shrewsbury Town On 10 June 2018, Kennedy followed John Askey out of Moss Rose and signed for League One side Shrewsbury Town on a one-year deal; Shrewsbury paid Macclesfield an undisclosed fee. He left the New Meadow after being released on 10 January 2019 as new "Shrews" manager Sam Ricketts preferred Mat Sadler, Omar Beckles and Luke Waterfall ahead of him.

Wrexham On 10 January 2019, Kennedy signed a six-month contract with Wrexham. With Manny Smith and Doug Tharme injured, leaving only Shaun Pearson and Jake Lawlor available at centre-back, manager Graham Barrow said that "it gives us depth and would also allow us to play with three at the back if needs be." He made 13 appearances for the "Red Dragons" in the second half of the 2018–19 season, scoring goals against Barrow and Sutton United at the Racecourse Ground. Wrexham qualified for the National League play-off quarter-finals, but Kennedy had a goal ruled out as Wrexham were beaten 1–0 by Eastleigh; manager Bryan Hughes disagreed with the officials, saying "it was definitely a goal". Kennedy was offered a new deal at the end of the season, however, chose to reject it.

Port Vale On 3 June 2019, Kennedy joined League Two side Port Vale on a one-year deal. Having coached Kennedy at Macclesfield and Shrewsbury, manager John Askey said that he would provide competition for established centre-backs Nathan Smith and Leon Legge. He scored an own goal on his debut for the "Valiants" on 3 September, in 2–1 victory over Shrewsbury Town in an EFL Trophy tie at Vale Park. He also scored an own goal on his league debut on 17 September, as Vale fell to a 2–0 at league leaders Exeter City. Having failed to break into the first-team at Vale, he rejoined Wrexham on loan on 20 November. The loan deal was later extended until the end of the 2019–20 season. He was released by Port Vale at the end of the season.

York City On 13 August 2020, Kennedy joined National League North side York City on a one-year deal; he had previously worked under manager Steve Watson at Macclesfield Town. He played seven league games before the 2020–21 season was curtailed early due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England and was not retained at the end of his contract.

Macclesfield On 4 June 2021, Kennedy was announced as the first signing for the new Macclesfield Town phoenix club Macclesfield. It was announced that he had signed a two-year deal with the North West Counties League Premier Division club. However, he featured just five times for Macclesfield. He was sent off after the final whistle in a 3–1 defeat at Alsager Town. He played a total of 14 games for Stockport Town in the 2021–22 season.

Style of play Kennedy is a right-footed left-sided centre-half who can also play with his left foot and as a left-back, right-back or central defensive midfielder. Macclesfield coach George Pilkington concurred, saying "he's quick, he's strong in the air, he's aggressive and he's got all the ingredients to go on and kick on again".

Personal life He graduated from Staffordshire University in 2022 with a degree in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting.

His grandfather, Paddy Kennedy, was one of the "Busby Babes", though he only played a handful of games in a seven-year career for Manchester United, Southampton and Blackburn Rovers.

Career statistics

Honours Macclesfield Town National League: 2017–18