Bournemouth midfielder keen to repay Dean Holden’s backing after Charlton Athletic loan switch

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Gavin Kilkenny is looking to repay the faith of Dean Holden after the Charlton Athletic boss identified the Irishman as a key January addition.

The Bournemouth midfielder, who turned 23 on Wednesday, signed on loan for the South Londoners earlier this week.

Kilkenny also worked under Holden, then assistant manager at Stoke City, at the start of this season. But it was all change at the bet365 Stadium before the end of August, with Michael O’Neill sacked and then Holden leaving after the appointment of Gary O’Neil.

“I had different options in the summer but Stoke stood out with their plans for me and what they wanted to do,” Kilkenny told the South London Press. “They told me to be patient, that I was going to play lots of games.

“I didn’t start the first couple of games in the league, then I started one game and he (O’Neill) got sacked. That was a bit of a pain in the arse because I was just beginning to get going. I think he had every intention of giving me a good run.

“I remember coming in the first day and meeting him (Holden) in the canteen. He’s like a breath of fresh air, he wants everything positive around the place.

“He brings a bit of an energy and the lads react to that, I noticed it at Stoke as well.

“He’s a very upbeat character and someone you want to do well for. He knows his tactics, he’s very clever in that sense. He did a lot of work on that at Stoke. We won the game he had in [caretaker] charge.

“I’ve nothing but good things to say about Dean. He has given me a bit of trust, so I want to reward that. I want to push Charlton up.”

Kilkenny talked recently about not wanting to be “forgotten about” after just four appearances for Stoke.

He has played 24 times for Bournemouth, the majority of those outings coming last season as the South Coast club won automatic promotion to the Premier League.

Thirteen of his 14 Championship games in the 2021-22 campaign came before the turn of the year when boss Scott Parker, a Charlton fans’ favorite before opting to sign for Chelsea, reinforced their top-two assault in the January transfer window.

“It was amazing,” said Kilkenny, when asked about being part of a silverware-winning squad. “The previous season before that I was only a young lad trying to break in.

“Scott Parker gave me and a couple of other younger lads a chance on the opening day, we did alright.

“I played a lot of games in the first half of the season and we went on a really good run. Obviously I came out a little bit in the second half, because he signed some players. It was my first proper season. This season I wanted to build on it and it hasn’t gone to plan. But I don’t see any reason why we can’t do something similar here.”

The former Republic of Ireland U21 international is set for his Addicks debut at Exeter City tomorrow.

It will be his first taste of league football outside England’s second tier, but the decision to temporarily drop down was not something he spent time agonising over.

“It didn’t really bother me,” said Kilkenny. “The main thing was to go somewhere and play games.

“I don’t think there is a huge difference between the Championship and League One, although I would say that!.

“There are a lot of players I know in League One who are more than good enough to play in the Championship.

“We have a really good squad here and we want to push up the table. Who knows what will happen going forward?

“I haven’t played as many games as I would’ve liked at this stage of my career. I just need to get games in senior football now.”

Former Stoke first-team coach Rory Delap described Kilkenny as a player who “builds” play.

“At Bournemouth I played the deepest of the midfield three,” said Kilkenny, who also excelled at hurling and gaelic football as a youngster.

“There was a big emphasis on building the game, like Rory said – getting on the ball and starting attacks. That’s probably one of my best strengths.

“I wouldn’t say it is my only strength. I like to play forward. I’ve learned how important it is, especially in the Championship where it is hustle and bustle, that you need to be able to mix it. I’ve been able to bring that to my game.

“Hopefully I add a bit of energy and quality to the team.”

PICTURES: BRIAN TONKS AND CHARLTON ATHLETIC FC