"Kieren was one of the main reasons why I came to Carlisle United," said Birchy to BBC Radio Cumbria. "As soon as the interest came in I was more than happy to join.
"I've been hearing Carlisle's interest for a number of months, and the gaffer [Greg Abbott] told me they've been watching me. "It never came off because I was trying to fight my way into the Coventry team and I was playing international football as well.
"I sat down with Chris Coleman at Coventry and he said there was interest from Carlisle and as soon as I knew that I wanted to come."