at the highest level and that's in Europe". Bristol City On 16 June 2011, Kilkenny showed an interest in moving to Leeds' Yorkshire rivals Hull City. On 24 June, he signed for fellow Championship team Bristol City on a three-year contract after turning down offers from Leeds and from other Championship clubs. Ahead of his return to Elland Road with Bristol City on 17 September, he told the Yorkshire Evening Post he had never wanted to leave the club, and in response to Leeds' chairman Ken Bates' comment that "Kilkenny wanted to leave for a big club and ended up at Bristol City", he felt that Bates "has always got something to say and sometimes he needs to keep quiet." Kilkenny scored his first goal for Bristol City in that match. On 29 March 2013, Kilkenny reached his 250th career league appearance with Bristol City against Derby County. Preston North End Kilkenny joined Preston North End on 14 November 2013 on an initial one-month loan. On 6 January 2014, he signed for the club permanently until the end of the season. Kilkenny played the whole match as Preston beat Swindon Town in the 2015 League One play-off final to gain promotion to the Championship. He was released at the end of the 2015–16 season. Melbourne City On 19 July 2016, Kilkenny joined A-League club Melbourne City on a two-year deal. He made his first appearance in a City shirt in a 5–0 friendly match win over Port Melbourne SC on 20 July 2016. Kilkenny's performances over the season earned him Melbourne City's Player of the Year award for 2016–17. In January 2018, Melbourne City released Kilkenny. Perth Glory A couple of days after being released by Melbourne City, Kilkenny joined Perth Glory wearing the number 88 jersey until the end of the season. On 24 February, Kilkenny scores his first goal for Perth Glory in a 2–1 victory against his former team, Melbourne City. International career Kilkenny, who was born in England with Irish grandparents, moved to Australia at a young age and grew up there, so was eligible to play internationally for Australia, England and the Republic of Ireland. He played for Ireland at under-19 level and for England under-20s, but shortly before the 2006 World Cup he committed to Australia. He was among a group of young players, selected by manager Guus Hiddink, who trained with the Australian