Kennedy to hang up boots

Ipswich's veteran defender Mark Kennedy has confirmed he will retire at the end of the season.

The 35-year-old is to take up a permanent coaching position at Portman Road having performed a player/coach role at the Championship club over the last six weeks. Kennedy, who last appeared for Town in November, joined the club in the summer of 2010 from Cardiff. The former Republic of Ireland international also enjoyed spells with Crystal Palace, Wolves, Manchester City, MK Dons, Liverpool and Millwall, making over 450 league appearances. "It wasn't a tough decision at all really," Kennedy told BBC Radio Suffolk. "I have been playing football for a long time and I am keen to get into coaching. After many discussions it was the manager Paul Jewell who made me realise that's what I want to do and I'm grateful to him for that. I'm really looking forward to it and I'm really excited by it."