Soccer:Having served his drugs ban, Paddy Kenny has targeted a return to international duty and end his self-imposed exile with the Republic of Ireland.
The Sheffield United goalkeeper was banned by the Football Association in September after a routine urine sample taken following a Championship play-off semi-final clash with Preston four months earlier was found to contain traces of ephedrine.
Kenny, who admitted the charge, claimed he had taken tablets bought at a chemist to help fight a chest infection prior to the Preston game.
Although cleared of cheating, Kenny was suspended from playing for nine months by the regulatory commission, which was back-dated to July 22nd, the day the FA’s ban came into force.
The 31-year-old finally returned to action on Saturday, producing a man-of-the-match performance in a 2-0 win over Swansea at Bramall Lane where he was given a rousing reception before kick off.
Kenny earned the last of his seven caps in October 2006, soon after which he made himself unavailable for selection due to personal problems.
“I’m looking forward to the future, and I want to get back in with Ireland again,” said Kenny.
“I spoke to (goalkeeping coach) Alan Kelly a few weeks ago and I’ve told him I want to be involved again, and he’s said he’ll keep an eye out for me. Being away from football has made me realise I’ve a special job, one which I’m lucky to have.
“The game at the weekend made me realise how much I have missed playing, and the fans made it a very special day. I have to admit I’m nervous before every game, but I had a few more nerves on this occasion.
“When I then ran down to The Kop ahead of the game I was emotional, but luckily enough I got through it. The fact it was a home game helped. In the end it wasn’t just a good reception, it was amazing, so I can’t thank the fans enough, and I’m now delighted to be back.”
The day the commission delivered their verdict he admits was “the lowest I’ve ever been in my life,” but the club immediately vowed to help, ultimately rewarding him with a new contract.
“I really did think that was me done at Sheffield United, but I got a phone call from the chairman (Kevin McCabe) and he said ‘don’t worry, I’ll stand by you,‘ and he has done,” added Kenny.
“It made me realise I still had a future in the game, and it made me determined to come back better than ever. I’ve a lot of people to thank — my girlfriend, my family, friends, team-mates, the manager (Kevin Blackwell) — and all the staff at the club.
“I owe the club my career because you don’t know what could have happened. Another club might not have gone the same route. But everybody has stood by me and I can’t repay them enough.”
Kenny was even banned from training, forcing him to stay fit on his own via sessions at a local park with a friend.
“That was hard, although it was more mental than physical because I was training on my own every day, whereas I was used to training with 20 to 30 lads. I missed the banter,” added Kenny.
“Being on my own I was thinking all the time, and it was hard to keep my spirits up. Mentally that was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, but it made me think I had to come back stronger.”
Although still believing the punishment did not fit the crime for what was nothing more than “a genuine mistake”, Kenny knows it serves him no purpose to be bitter. As part of his punishment, he will now work with the FA to help them get their message across regarding such substances.
“This is a warning to everybody out there, from a trainee to the top pros, that you can’t take this stuff lightly,” said Kenny. “Part of my commitment to the FA is to help them out with awareness campaigns, which will hopefully help.”