IRELAND MANAGER STEPHEN Kenny named his squad earlier today for next week’s World Cup qualifiers against Portugal and Luxembourg.
The games, scheduled to take place on Thursday 11 and Sunday 14 November respectively, will conclude the campaign for Kenny’s side.
The main talking point from the squad announcement was the omission of Brighton & Hove Albion striker Aaron Connolly, who also remained an unused substitute for last month’s wins against Azerbaijan and Qatar.
On the latest episode of The Football Family – a podcast which is exclusively available to The42 members – Paul Dollery got the views on Connolly’s absence from Gavin Cooney and David Sneyd.
While Kenny stated that the Galway native has been left out due to a foot injury, missing out on two important games is a significant setback for a young player who has been unable to kick on from his memorable full Premier League debut.
He scored twice in a 3-0 victory over Tottenham in October 2019, but there have been few signs of progress for the 21-year-old since then.
“Kenny did say that he’s injured, but he could technically be fit for the game on Thursday [against Portugal],” Gavin Cooney said. “He just hasn’t been training. Either way, Connolly has slipped down the pecking order pretty quickly.
“He was a real favourite of Kenny’s from obviously back in the U21s. He very much trusted him in the senior set-up, he was due to start in the Euros play-off in Bratislava before he sat in the wrong seat on the plane etc.
“It’s only two months since Connolly started against Portugal, then he was hooked at half-time against Azerbaijan and he has kind of fallen off the map since then.
“His club career has almost totally stalled. He played all 90 minutes of the League Cup game against Leicester and Kenny was saying that’s the first time he’s played a full game at club level in nearly two years.
“He just can’t break into the Brighton team and until he’s playing even semi-regularly, you can’t argue that he deserves a place in the Irish squad.”
Having appeared just twice for his club so far this season in the Premier League, a January loan move away from Brighton may be required for Connolly to ignite his career.
“Graham Potter [Brighton manager] has been very open over the last few months about Connolly’s struggles, even just in his own head,” David Sneyd added.
“It’s something he was open about himself after the Finland game. We’ve spoken about how he kind of beats himself up when he has a bad performance. He expects a lot of himself and I suppose you’re not going to get to where he is if you don’t place those demands on yourself.
“You speak to people around the squad and there are times when he might rub certain people up the wrong way, but in terms of ability it’s clear that it’s there. It’s just about being able to grasp that and get it out of him on a consistent basis.”
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Attitude
@Al Byrne: said for the likes of Stokes in the past past , Parrott recently and now this lad
@Al Byrne: bull
He doesn’t really do it for me. He shows maybe 10 minutes of potential and then goes missing.
Plus his attitude and behaviour off the pitch is dreadful. He seems happier to be around Z list celebs than focusing on a future in football.
@Madra: I’ve been watching him play since he was in the 21s and his work-rate and attitude are very good.
He runs channels all day, makes space for his attacking teammates and is a nitemare for full-backs.
Maybe the big PL contact came too early but he’ll come good for us, I’m sure of it.
Some of the comments aimed at him are nothing more than petty begrudgery, the same type we’ve seen aimed at young Irish high-achievers forever. These same hurlers-from-the-ditch have never achieved anything but are happy to cast down one of our own for showing something different.
His Barnet is cat too
@Liam De Oráiste: speak for yourself
Has been known to cause a bit of trouble and not really showing a head for the game
Connolly is a significant absence,but does anyone know why SK isn’t too keen on Scott hogan?
@Pauly Kel: I’d have Obafemi & Hogan instead of Collins & Keane.
Stephen Kenny has got this very wrong.I would rather connolly then Horgan in the team.kenny will live to regret it
@Mick Dunne: I bet you he won’t.
Let’s face it …Kenny is lost in the wilderness.. and as for the Irish squad…those who were picked ..and those who were not….None of them would be guaranteed a start in a under 16 girls team
Who’s Aaron Connolly???
Is Collins playing regularly
I think it was the Portugal game , he was awful, worst player on the pitch.