Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has called up Eoin Kenny for the Nations League fixtures against Ukraine and Hungary, stating his family connection to the Republic of Ireland is not a factor. The 20-year-old Portsmouth attacker is the son of former Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny. Born in Northern Ireland, Eoin represented the Republic at under-19 level before switching allegiance to Northern Ireland's under-21 side, where he captained the team against Greece.
O'Neill emphasized that Kenny's selection was based purely on merit following a strong under-21 campaign, noting his positive impact since joining Portsmouth from Dundalk. The manager highlighted the importance of showing a clear pathway from the under-21 squad to the senior team.
The call-up occurs amidst ongoing debate over international allegiance, particularly concerning young players like Ceadach O'Neill. O'Neill confirmed he has not discussed potential transfers with the 19-year-old, stating such conversations only happen if a player formally requests a switch.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing