Kenny names 26-man Ireland squad but Kilkenny doesn’t make the cut

Ronan MacNamara reports from FAI HQ

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has named his 26-man squad for the final two FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifiers against Portugal and Luxembourg next week.

Ireland and Everton skipper Seamus Coleman returns following injury while there are returns also for Jayson Molumby and Alan Browne after they served suspensions.

There’s a recall for Jason Knight of Derby County after his recovery from injury but Aaron Connolly misses out with a heel issue.

When asked about the absence of Connolly, Kenny revealed he spoke to Brighton manager Graham Potter and they decided to leave the player out because of a lack of training.

“I went to Leicester to watch Aaron play against Brighton in the Carabao Cup,” Kenny said. “It was great to see him get 90 minutes, because he hasn’t had that often enough. 

“To be honest with you he has had a heel issue since then and he hasn’t trained at all. On that basis he has been left out.

“I spoke to Graham (Potter) midweek and I have a great relationship with him and he hasn’t been training for Brighton. I spoke to Aaron myself and he didn’t feel he was really ready. Technically he could possibly be available for selection next Thursday but he hasn’t been able to train.”

There was speculation whether the Bournemouth midfielder Gavin Kilkenny would get a maiden senior call-up particularly given the absence of veteran Harry Arter, but Kenny feels the competition is so fierce in the midfield there wasn’t space for the former St Kevin’s Boys man.

“He’s having a very good season,” Kenny said. “The midfield is very competitive at the moment, obviously Alan Browne is coming back in and he played well last night for Preston beating Bournemouth last night and Jayson Molumby is back in.

“Jack Taylor hasn’t made it and he has been really good for Peterborough this year. Gavin is a player who has been great in the U21 games and certainly he will have every chance in the future.”

Full house

Next Thursday’s game against Portugal will be the first full house in the Aviva Stadium for a competitive international fixture since November 2019. 

Kenny admitted the night will be a special occasion and feels it isn’t a reflection on his management but rather a great interest and excitement from fans about his team who have scored 14 goals in their last seven international matches. 

They are unbeaten in their last four games while only losing once in eight games since Luxembourg overturned the Boys in Green at an empty Landsdowne Road.

“It’s very special, obviously we had half capacity for the games against Serbia and Qatar and the atmosphere was tremendous, the support was magnificent and really helped us against Serbia, cheering the team on to get that equaliser which was terrific.

“To have a full house is very special and everyone will really look forward to it.

“I think there’s huge interest around the country, even when we were losing games. Fifteen players have come in, 14 have made their competitive debuts and Nathan Collins played in the last one (friendly v Qatar).

“It’s unprecedented in the history of football in Ireland to have that many players come through in one calendar year into the senior international team. It’s a radical re shift in terms of style and the number of players we have brought through.

“It’s a reflection of the work the Irish underage coaches have been doing over the last number of years. People are excited by that.

“There’s traditional Irish support anyway and the Irish support has always been there - it’s not just because I have come in. But what I will say is there is huge excitement about the team regardless of if we were playing Luxembourg at home, we would sell out. There is that level of interest. 

“We’ve gone from not scoring goals to scoring 14 in 7 games and now we look like creating a lot of chances in games and the goals are spread throughout the team. It’s an exciting period of development, the team getting better and the players evolving.”

Duff

Yesterday saw Shelbourne appoint former Irish international Damien Duff as the club’s manager.

Duff was part of Stephen Kenny’s coaching staff but stepped down after six months in the role before returning to manage Shelbourne’s U17 side. 

While the two-time Premier League winner with Chelsea didn’t phone Kenny for advice, the Republic of Ireland manager wishes Duff well and believes his appointment is positive for Irish football.

“I’m delighted for him, I wish him well. Shelbourne are a club who have just got promoted and Ian Morris did a great job in getting them promoted but they’ve got a full time CEO, technical director and Damien in as manager full time. 

“It’s good to see and it’s going to be good for Irish football, he has a lot to offer and I sincerely wish him well.”

Republic of Ireland squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (Bournemouth)

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur,) Ryan Manning (Swansea City), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Shane Duffy (Brighton), John Egan (Sheffield United), Andrew Omabamidele (Norwich City), Nathan Collins (Burnley)

Midfielders: Conor Hourihane (Sheffield United on loan from Aston Villa), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle), Jason Knight (Derby County), Jayson Molumby (West Brom on loan from Brighton), Alan Browne (Preston NE), Jamie McGrath (St Mirren)

Forwards: Callum Robinson (West Brom), Troy Parrott (MK Dons on loan from Spurs), Adam Idah (Norwich), James Collins (Cardiff City), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham), Daryll Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers)

Jim Crawford discusses dual nationality issues ahead of duo of under-21 qualifiers https://t.co/Q513n5FHddpic.twitter.com/H8VSwAdEd9

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) November 4, 2021