May 2, 2013

LEXINGTON, Ky. – With multiple years of coaching and playing experience at the highest level of world soccer, including two years in the NCAA ranks, Ian Carry has been named the newest addition to Jon Lipsitz’s staff, as he was appointed to the role of assistant coach, it was announced on Thursday.

“I’m delighted to join the coaching staff at UK and very much appreciate the opportunity that Jon (Lipsitz) and Michelle (Rayner) have afforded me,” Carry said. “My goal when leaving Ireland was to coach at the elite collegiate level and this has culminated with my move to UK and the SEC. Preseason can’t come quick enough so that I can get onto the practice field with the goalkeepers and prepare them for the tough season ahead. I would like to thank my former head coach, Peter McGahey, at Central Michigan University for all his support during the transition period and wish his staff and players success both on and off the field.”

Carry comes to Kentucky on the heels of a successful two-year stint as an assistant coach at Central Michigan, where he helped build the Chippewas into a national contender each year. Under Carry’s leadership, CMU earned the school’s first-ever NCAA Tournament at-large bid in 2011. 

“We made sure we took our time in this process, and it was clear after a lot of interviews and discussion that Ian was the best fit for our program,” UK head coach Jon Lipsitz said. “From the outset, we were looking for a coach with international experience and someone who had worked with goalkeepers at the highest level. In addition to that, we also wanted someone who could fit in with our coaching staff, help with all facets of the game, recruit well and someone who was great with technology. There were not a lot of candidates that fit this. From the beginning, Ian stood out and I kept coming back to him because he was such a great fit with our staff and student-athletes.”

Working specifically with the goalkeepers at CMU, Carry mentored senior goalkeeper Stefanie Turner to All-MAC First Team honors with 11 shutouts on the 2012 season. Highlighting the season was a 10-save performance by Turner in a 0-0 double-overtime draw with No. 12 Marquette. He was also instrumental in bringing in a dynamic 2012 freshman class that earned three MAC All-Freshman team selections.

A native of Dunshauglin, Ireland, Carry worked as an international and goalkeeping coach for the Republic of Ireland from 2007-11. While with the Republic of Ireland, he worked with the nation’s U-15 girls, U-18 boys, U-19 women’s and senior deaf squads. Carry was responsible for player identification, recruitment, monitoring and evaluation, scheduling and administering of elite training sessions, scheduling of both friendly and competitive matches, video analysis and apparel management. 



As a coach, Carry helped lead the U-15 girls Irish team to the Bob Docherty International Trophy in 2008 and 2010. His U-18 boys squad earned the Celtic Cup in 2008 and 2009, as well as the International Centenary Shield in 2008 and 2010. 

Carry was also a National Development Officer for Schools for the Football Association of Ireland from 2007-11 where he promoted football nationally within educational establishments, planned and coordinated pilot projects at the national level within school venues, and implemented programs aimed at primary school children to develop technically stronger players. 



Prior to his time with the Republic of Ireland and FAI, Carry coached professionally from 2001-07, including stints as the head coach of West of Scotland’s U-13, U-14 and U-15 girls squads and as the academy goalkeeping coach for the Celtic FC of the Scottish Premier League. 



An Irish goalkeeper, Carry has played professionally since 1993 for Longford Town FC (1993-95), Home Farm FC (1995-98), Queens Park FC (2000-01), Sporting Fingal (2009-10), the Shamrock Rovers (2010-11) and the Republic of Ireland International Squad (2010-11).

A graduate of the Bell College of Technology in Hamilton, Scotland, Carry graduated in 2001 with honors with a bachelor’s of arts degree in leisure management.

“My goal for this program is that every player excels to the best of their abilities, and at the highest level. I know Ian and the rest of this staff share those goals in helping to make Kentucky a great place to play.” Lipsitz said. 

The Carry File