Kieran Dempsey is an Australian former head coach of North Sydney who played in the National Rugby League competition. Dempsey was the last head coach of the club when they were a first grade side.

Kieran Dempsey
Personal information
Full nameKieran Dempsey
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
1999 North Sydney Bears 8 2 0 6 25
Source: [1]

Coaching career

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Dempsey was the assistant coach to North Sydney head coach Peter Louis during the 1999 NRL season. Midway through 1999, Louis departed the club after 7 seasons in charge and Dempsey was promoted to be the new head coach.

At the time of his appointment, Norths were sitting 12th on the table and were enduring one of their toughest seasons. Dempsey's first six games in charge all ended in defeats including a 56–18 loss against Cronulla-Sutherland.

Dempsey's first win came in round 25 1999 against Melbourne at North Sydney Oval which would also prove to be the club's last first grade game played at the ground.

The following week, Dempsey coached Norths in their final game as a first grade side when they faced North Queensland at the Willows Sports Complex. North Sydney would win the match 28–18. At the conclusion of 1999, Norths fell victim to the NRL's rationalisation policy and were forced to merge with arch rivals Manly-Warringah to form the Northern Eagles.[2]

In August 2024, Dempsey became North Sydney's NSW Cup head coach once again after their former coach Pat Weisner was deregistered by the NSWRL for betting on matches.[3] On 29 September 2024, Dempsey coached North Sydney in their 2024 NSW Cup Grand Final loss against Newtown.[4]

Post coaching

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In 2014, Dempsey was hired as a talent scout for Melbourne. Dempsey later joined the club's recruitment and pathways team.[5][6]

References

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  1. ^ Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "Kieran Dempsey - Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org.
  2. ^ "Coaching merry-go-round hits clubs". Herald Sun.
  3. ^ "Deregistered Bears coach's ban handed down after betting scandal". www.foxsports.com.au.
  4. ^ "Newtown wins Premiership number nine". www.nswrl.com.au.
  5. ^ "Staff Listing". Melbourne Storm.
  6. ^ "NRL bad boy Todd Carney ready to leave for France". Daily Telegraph.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Peter Louis
1993–1999
Coach
 
North Sydney

1999
Succeeded by
Club withdrew