MARTIN O’NEILL TODAY rewarded Brian Lenihan for impressing on his first appearance in the Ireland senior squad by recalling the Hull City defender.
The Ireland manager named an extended panel ahead the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland (14 November) and the international friendly with the US (18 November) with the former Cork City full-back among the 36 names.
20-year-old Lenihan was a surprise, late call-up before the win over Gibraltar and draw with Germany and despite not featuring in either match, he did enough to catch O’Neill’s eye.
“He did very well,” said O’Neill. “I thought for a young lad coming in with senior players I thought he might be a little bit nervous but he didn’t show it in the little matches we played in, in fact he did very well.
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“It was always going to be asking a lot for him to be playing in those games and while he is a natural right back whereas David Meyler isn’t, we needed some sort of experience down that side — particularly in Germany.
“That would have been harsh to put him in there for that game but he impressed enough to warrant being in this squad at this minute. Obviously when we pare it down, we’ll see what develops but he impressed everyone in the couple of days that he was there.”
'He did very well' - O'Neill impressed by new boy Lenihan
MARTIN O’NEILL TODAY rewarded Brian Lenihan for impressing on his first appearance in the Ireland senior squad by recalling the Hull City defender.
The Ireland manager named an extended panel ahead the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland (14 November) and the international friendly with the US (18 November) with the former Cork City full-back among the 36 names.
20-year-old Lenihan was a surprise, late call-up before the win over Gibraltar and draw with Germany and despite not featuring in either match, he did enough to catch O’Neill’s eye.
“He did very well,” said O’Neill. “I thought for a young lad coming in with senior players I thought he might be a little bit nervous but he didn’t show it in the little matches we played in, in fact he did very well.
“It was always going to be asking a lot for him to be playing in those games and while he is a natural right back whereas David Meyler isn’t, we needed some sort of experience down that side — particularly in Germany.
“That would have been harsh to put him in there for that game but he impressed enough to warrant being in this squad at this minute. Obviously when we pare it down, we’ll see what develops but he impressed everyone in the couple of days that he was there.”
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Brian Lenihan Euro 2016 Qualifiers inclusion Martin O'Neill Hull City Ireland Republic Scotland