Many of the headlines surrounding yesterday's FAI Cup final have revolved around the unfavourable scenes in Irishtown.
However, on the whole it was great night for Irish domestic football, and nobody embodied that feel good FAI Cup atmosphere more than Brian Kerr.
FAI Cup Delight
Kerr can be seen celebrating the winning penalty with a quirky and awkward dance that only he could pull off, while his hat bobbles away, barely staying on his head.
He certainly did…fair play to him! pic.twitter.com/XxSvHsiXBR
— Michael Power (@MickpowPower) November 29, 2021
Kerr's St. Pat's Years
While Kerr is now best known in wider circles as an ex-coach of the Irish senior side, and as a TV pundit who is partial to often hilarious quips and analogies. His history with St. Patrick’s Athletic features arguably his most impressive achievements.
Kerr was hired as their head coach in 1986 after leaving his role as assistant manager with Drogheda United.
He was an immediate success at Pats, winning the Leinster Senior Cup in his first season in charge, before narrowly losing out on the league title the following year.
Pats had not won the league since 1956, but in 1990 Kerr guided them to the title.
28 April 1996; Manager Brian Kerr, St Patrick's Athletic, speaks to journalists after his team won the 1996 League of Ireland title, in Richmond Park, Inchicore, Dublin. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
In 1992, when the club was facing liquidation, Kerr was among the investors who raised IR£82,000 to help save the club.
Despite these financials troubles he once again guided the team to the league title in 1996, and reached the FAI Cup final the same year.
And while he shocked the club by leaving after that season to become the technical director of the FAI, Kerr had already cemented himself as a St. Patrick’s Athletic legend.
Knowing of his special bond with the club makes the videos of him celebrating a bit more special.
While Bohemians fans are gutted to have lost on penalties, nobody can begrudge Brian Kerr his delight at watching his beloved club lift the FAI Cup.
See Also: Roy Keane & Jamie Carragher Have Huge Fight Over Cristiano Ronaldo
