O'Neill says Eoin Kenny's Republic of Ireland family link not a factor in Northern Ireland call-up
Michael O'Neill has called Portsmouth attacker Eoin Kenny, son of former Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny, into Northern Ireland's senior squad for the Nations League games against Ukraine and Hungary, saying the player's background was not a consideration.
Michael O'Neill has included Portsmouth attacker Eoin Kenny in Northern Ireland's senior squad for this month's Nations League fixtures against Ukraine and Hungary, and said the 20-year-old's family connection to the Republic of Ireland was not something he weighed up. Kenny is the son of former Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny and was born in Northern Ireland while his father managed Derry City, but he previously represented the Republic at under-19 level before switching to Northern Ireland's under-21s.
Kenny, who joined Portsmouth from Dundalk in the summer transfer window, has made 11 appearances for Tommy Wright's under-21 side and captained it against Greece last month. O'Neill said he looks at the player rather than the background, adding that Kenny has enjoyed being in the Northern Ireland set-up and earned the chance after a strong under-21 campaign. O'Neill also said he expects Kenny to be committed to the squad and stressed the value of the opportunity to play international football.
O'Neill confirmed he did not speak to Stephen Kenny before the call-up and instead acted on Wright's recommendation, saying the under-21 manager had been positive about both Kenny's performances and his character. He noted that Kenny has had limited minutes at Portsmouth, with one Championship appearance, and said the international window offers a chance to work with him directly and assess him up close.
O'Neill framed the selection as part of a wider message about progression, saying it matters that under-21 players can see a route into the senior team. The call-up comes amid renewed attention on international allegiance in the build-up to Northern Ireland fixtures, particularly around Arsenal's 18-year-old Ceadach O'Neill, who won his fourth cap against Georgia last month.
Asked about Conor Haughey, the 19-year-old defender who scored the winning penalty in Fleetwood Town's EFL Cup upset of Arsenal, O'Neill said there was no need for conversations about allegiance. He described Haughey as part of the under-21 group and on the senior squad's radar, and said he was impressed by the defender's display against Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz as well as his composure from the spot.
Image: Press Eye / BBC Sport
