By Patrick McHugh

No matter how far Greg Kilkenny has been separated from his homeland of Ireland, his thoughts are never far from home.

It was the “football” culture in Europe that influenced the senior forward to excel in the sport. His passion for the game led him to play college soccer in America and ultimately become a men’s soccer standout for the Huskies.

Kilkenny finished fifth in the Northeastern record book for goals (18) and assists (14) in his career. A team captain, Kilkenny set the pace by being named the team’s Offensive Player of the Year his junior year and an all-Colonial Athletic Association first-team selection as a senior.

Husky head coach Brian Ainscough said he will miss Kilkenny’s presence on the team not only for his play, but for his personality as well. Upon taking over as head coach for Ed Matz prior to the 2005 season, Ainscough said he could see that Kilkenny had a positive impact on the team and was capable of leading them to victory.

“Greg is well-liked by his teammates because he has a big personality,” said Ainscough, also a native of Ireland. “He has a great sense of humor and would always make funny comments. He is a great leader because he is able to keep things in perspective, but we always knew to count on him to play at a high level.”

Kilkenny’s ability to entertain on and off the field was evident as he was growing up in Bray Wicklow. While at Presentation College, his high school, Kilkenny played for the Dublin All-County team, as well as the U-14, U-16, and U-18 All League teams.

During his free time, Kilkenny helped his coach by teaching the game to youngsters at soccer camps. Every summer at the Brian Ainscough Soccer Academy, held at Northeastern, Kilkenny took the time to teach the sport to campers, and demonstrate the intricacies of the game. Like with his teammates, Kilkenny was able to keep the kids enthusiastic and ready to improve their skills.

His motivation for soccer comes from the excitement generated in his country, as well as his family. His cousin plays soccer at Fairleigh Dickinson, but for Kilkenny, the American game intrigued him.

“Soccer is a sport that means a lot to the Irish people and growing up it was my dream to either play in an English league or play in America,” Kilkenny said. “Here in the states they emphasize fitness, conditioning, being stronger and faster. The athletes in America are phenomenal and I knew I wanted to be a part of it and try to improve my game.”

When choosing a college to play at, Northeastern stood out because of its setting in Boston. Although a much larger city than he grew up in, Kilkenny liked the traditional Irish roots of Boston and the chance to live in an urban setting. An adjustment at first, Kilkenny said he quickly adapted to the new atmosphere and the opportunities Northeastern offers.

“It was a bit different, living in such a big city, but I got to love the city after a while,” Kilkenny said. “There are a lot of Irish people in Boston and it reminded me of Dublin a bit. Northeastern is a great school to learn and has given me the chance to learn a lot through co-op.”

Planning to major in international affairs, Kilkenny has already completed a co-op at a law firm. However, much of his family still lives in Ireland, and he makes time to visit them during the holidays.

His hope, he said, is to return to Ireland and use his degree to improve the economy at home. He said his time as a Husky has been enjoyable, but that his calling remains in his homeland.

“Without a doubt, I am grateful for the opportunity to come to play college soccer in the US,” Kilkenny said. “I worked to improve myself as a player and experience life in another country. I will use what I learned at Northeastern to make Ireland a better place.”