Aidan Keena reflects on Hartlepool United departure for Falkirk

The 21-year-old striker joined Pools from Hearts in January 2020 and went on to score twice in eight appearances before the 2019-20 season was shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Keena was contracted to stay at Victoria Park for the upcoming 2020-21 campaign but opted to return north of the border with Scottish League One side Falkirk to be closer to his family and girlfriend, with the birth of his first child due in October.

Looking back on his short spell at Pools, Keena said: “Daniel Stendl came in at Hearts and I spoke to him and I was fed up sitting around, I wanted to play and he was happy enough to let me go. Hartlepool had been watching me for a few years so that was sorted quickly.

"I have had some games this year which has been beneficial.

"I enjoyed it at Hartlepool – I wasn’t there for many games but I played a few and then lockdown kicked in not long after I signed.

"I got a couple of goals, I was enjoying it and we were pushing for promotion before it all fell apart off the pitch, but it was a good spell, enjoyable.”

The high point of Keena's time at Pools was arguably his late winner at Solihull Moors back in March, a goal that took Pools to within touching distance of the play-offs.

But the suspension of the National League season ultimately cut any play-off hopes short while also casting uncertainty over the club’s future.

Several redundancies and budget cuts have since taken place at The Vic as a result of the lack of matchday income.

But now things look to be heading in the right direction in preparation for the planned kick-off of the new National League season on October 3.

Keena’s departure left Pools with just seven contracted players going into August, now they have 16 signed up and ready to go.

“I’ve not got a bad word to say about the club,” added the Irish striker.

“Great club and great fans, they’re going in the right direction. It was just unlucky the way things went off the pitch.

“Dave Challinor, the manager, was great dealing with me. He understood and told me not to worry about it and that I had to look after myself and my family, so it’s not like I’m moving away in a bad move or anything, it's been good terms – I’ve got a big club and I’m looking forward to getting going, I can’t wait.

"Falkirk are looking to win the league and that's what a club of this size has to look at. And next season. We should be looking to go again."

The Scottish League One season will commence on October 17 and will consist of just 27 games opposed to the usual 36.

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