"We had no clue in the world that Brian was planning a move as he was present at our last Board meeting when we were planning for the new season. He was aware that our manager Billy Dennehy was stepping away from the management side to concentrate on his Director of Football role. 

"Brian was involved in the appointment of our new head coach Conor McCarthy and his assistant James Sugrue.” 

Sources revealed that it was Steven Conway who broke the news to Billy Dennehy last Thursday night and that is how the club found out. 

Kerry FC issued a brief press release on Friday morning confirming that Brian Ainscough - confirmed as the new owner of Dundalk on Thursday - was buying the Louth club and moving his interest away from Kerry FC. 

It has also irked some members of the board that the departing CEO did not directly contact Kerry FC nor did the FAI inform Kerry FC that their CEO was planning a switch.

Ainscough, in his defence, would say that he could not talk about it as it was commercially sensitive and that is plausible.

Ainscough, to his credit, did put in the funds and brought on board other US-based business people to invest in the Kerry FC project of bringing League of Ireland football to the Kingdom for the first time. 

While the Kerry FC Board are surprised and disappointed at this turn of events, it will be business as usual for the forthcoming season.

The club were granted their license for 2024 last week.

An insider revealed that the club will be looking forward to improved results and performances in their second season. 

Currently, both Billy Dennehy and coaches Conor McCarthy (the youngest-ever in the LOI at 25 years old) and James Sugrue are scouting for players to improve their chances throughout the '24 campaign.

Both Ronan Teahan and Kennedy Amechi are on cross channel trials at the moment but Kerry FC will be hoping that they will stay local.

Leo Gaxha will more than likely move to Galway United, that announcement is understood to be imminent.

But despite all the in house changes, Kerry FC are sending out the message loud and clear that the departure of Brian Ainscough, though a shock, doesn’t change anything as the other stakeholders are all still on board and once they appoint a CEO it will be full steam ahead in 2024. 

Kerry FC aim to be semi pro in the 2024 with some players getting the minimum wage, traveling expenses and their accommodation covered. 

Head coach Conor McCarthy told a Kerry FC media briefing on Monday that he was actually shocked at the amount of interest from outside in Kerry FC. 

“We’re putting a lot of work into recruitment this year because we need to know where we’re going to strengthen and stuff. 

"We’re looking forward to it, really looking forward to the season,” he revealed.

“I’m not going to say names, I’m not going to say clubs, but yeah [players are interested]. We’ll be having something during the pre-season, a lot of players coming in just to have a look at them.

"There’s a lot of interest with players wanting to come in, actually shocked by the amount of players in other clubs that have been on to us. 

"I think the way recruitment is looking I’m really excited to be honest with you with the squad that’s going out next year, really excited.”

Upon the official ownership announcement by the Louth outfit, Ainscough said: “I knew that Dundalk were looking for investment and over the last month I looked at the club a bit more in-depth and ownership was something that I felt I would be very interested in.

“I’m a competitor and I want to be involved with the very best. Dundalk, with all of its history and tradition, is, and has been, one of the top football clubs in the country and when this opportunity came up, it was too good to pass up.”

Ainscough arrived at Oriel Park on Tuesday and said he was eager to press ahead with plans for the 2024 season.

“We have a busy couple of weeks ahead with season tickets, new jerseys, new sponsors and new players to be announced before Christmas. The fixtures for the new season come out on December 15th and I can’t wait for the first game to come around in February.

“The objective for 2024 is to get the club back into Europe,” he added. 

“That’s our goal. We were only two points off finishing fourth last season which shows how close we are and Stephen O'Donnell can fully get to work now and talk to players and assure them that the club is in a good place and ready to kick on.”