Former Muratti Vase-winning manager David Kennedy has been appointed as the new head coach of Jersey’s Under-21s side.

Kennedy, the General Manager of Jersey Sport, led the senior island side to three consecutive Muratti successes between 2007 and 2009. Former St Paul’s boss Paul Brannan will assist him with the Under-21s, who face Northern Ireland Schoolboys at Springfield next week. The match on Wednesday night is for the Lynne Nicholson Memorial Trophy. A younger “select side” will also take on the Irish on Monday night (both 7.45pm kick offs at Springfield with FREE entry).

“I’m delighted to be taking on the role of head coach of the U21s,” said Kennedy. “For the last few years I took a step back from football in order to concentrate more on my role at Jersey Sport. Throughout that time, I took the opportunity to recharge the football batteries but made sure I took the odd coaching session with clubs and regularly watched games.

“When the Jersey FA approached me about taking on the U21s I didn’t have to think too long before accepting. It’s an age group that I’ve always really enjoyed working with as the players still have a lot of learning and development to experience.

“I’m also delighted that Paul (Brannan) has agreed to come and assist me. We’ve enjoyed working together a lot over the years and he is also feeling excited about returning to football following some time out.

“There are some excellent opportunities for the players this year including this annual cup match versus Northern Ireland and, of course, the U21 Muratti. Whilst my primary focus has always been to improve the players I work with, I will always expect anyone who pulls on a Jersey strip to give their absolute best for their island. If the players do that then there is no reason why we cannot have a successful season.”

Steve Coutanche will take charge of the friendly match against Northern Ireland Schoolboys on Monday, with Kennedy and Brannan then in charge for the Lynne Nicholson Memorial Cup fixture on Wednesday night.

Jersey Squads

MONDAY “SELECT” SQUAD: Luke Duncan (St Ouen), Daniel Birrell (JTC Jersey Wanderers/Bulls), James Carr (St Peter/Bulls), Luke Appleton (St Paul’s), Toby Ritzema (St Peter), Harry Curtis (St Paul’s/Bulls), Brad Le Mercier (Grouville), Daniel Burton (St Paul’s), Sammy Sutcliffe (St Paul’s), Joe Kilshaw (St Paul’s), Max Corbett (JTC Jersey Wanderers), Josh Coutanche (JTC Jersey Wanderers), Sol Solomon (St Peters/Bulls), Kushal Frankson (St Clement), Thomas Harris (St Clement), Max Rivers (Grouville).

WEDNESDAY U21s SQUAD: Adam Le Lere (St Paul’s), Daniel Birrell (JTC Jersey Wanderers/Bulls),  James Carr (St Peter/Bulls), Sam Masefield (St Paul’s), Toby Ritzema (St Peter), Harry Curtis (St Paul’s/Bulls), Brad Le Mercier (Grouville), Calum Huckerby (St Ouen), Jake Huckerby (St Ouen), Joe Kilshaw (St Paul’s), Ben Le Rougetel (St Peter), Josh Coutanche (JTC Jersey Wanderers), Sol Solomon (St Peters/Bulls), Jake Prince (St Ouen), Thomas Harris (St Clement), Max Rivers (Grouville).