for the club in their 2–0 win against AFC Bournemouth in March. Leeds went on to reach the play-off final that season but lost 1–0 against Doncaster Rovers. He was then called up to the Australian Olympic team during the summer and missed all of pre-season training for Leeds as a result. 2008–09 season After a period out of the team and the sacking of Gary McAllister Kilkenny regained a spot in the Leeds midfield under the stewardship of new manager Simon Grayson late in the 2008–09 season. His 43rd-minute goal against Yeovil Town on 10 March 2009 was a leading contender for the goal of the season. He followed this up with goals in the 3–2 win against Crewe Alexandra and the 3–1 win against Tranmere Rovers. Kilkenny was part of the Leeds team who were knocked out of the play-off semi-final by Millwall; he injured an ankle and was substituted in the first half of the second leg at Elland Road. 2009–10 season Doncaster made their interest in signing Kilkenny public during the summer but Grayson made it clear that he was not for sale. After again missing pre-season, this time because of ankle trouble, Kilkenny found himself trying to regain fitness and a place on the bench once the season was in full flow. With seven substitutes required for the 2009–10 season, he was used mainly as an impact substitute in the early part of the season. Kilkenny started his first league game of the season in the top-of-the-table goalless draw with Charlton Athletic and also started the next game in the Football League Trophy win against Darlington. He scored his first goal of the season for Leeds in the 3–1 win against Grimsby Town in the Trophy, "[playing] a give-and-go with Jermaine Beckford before tucking the ball into the far corner". Kilkenny also received the man of the match award in the same game. He scored in his next match, against Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as providing an assist for Beckford, and made it three in five when he scored against his former club Oldham. Kilkenny's fourth goal of the season came in December, with a rare header against Accrington Stanley. A few days later he provided yet another assist when he set up Beckford's first goal against Hartlepool United. Kilkenny played against Manchester United when Leeds won 1–0 away at Old Trafford on