MIKEY DRENNAN HAS promised Shamrock Rovers fans that the best is yet to come.
The Kilkenny striker hit a quick-fire double as the Hoops came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with champions Dundalk on Friday night.
Drennan’s second, a superb left-footed strike into the top corner, took his total to five goals in six league starts this season.
He’s already closing in on the eight scored by Gary McCabe last season — a total which was enough to make him Rovers’ top scorer.
It has almost been the perfect start for the 21-year-old who was on the books at Aston Villa for four years before returning home.
But he was kicking himself after missing a late sitter which would have completed his hat-trick and surely condemned the champions to their first defeat of the season.
“We’ll take but it feels like a defeat,” Drennan said on Friday night.
I feel down after it because I know I should have scored a hat-trick.
“It was right there in front of me, I don’t know how I didn’t. I was just thinking, ‘Goal!’ I leaned back and the minute it hit my foot, I was like ‘Oh no!’”
With Danny North returning to full fitness, Rovers boss Pat Fenlon will have to decide whether to accommodate both strikers in the same team or stick to his preferred 4-2-3-1.
Drennan insists that he’s only shown a glimpse of his potential so far.
“I’ve still another 20% to go, I think,” he said. “Once the season goes on and I get more used to it and get used to playing with the lads, hopefully that ‘s when you’ll see the best of me.
I don’t think you’ve seen the best of me yet. I think there’s lots more to come.
“I have five goals and I’ll take that. I probably wouldn’t have expected that at the start.”
He has no interest in being the next Gary Twigg though — he wants to forge his own legacy.
“You can see that [Twigg] is a legend — he has posters and flags and all that here.
“It’s a hard thing to live up to but all I can do is just be myself and score as many goals as I can for the club, hopefully win the league and win as many trophies as I can.
“You try not to put too much pressure on yourself, even though there’s pressure on you to score. You try to just go out and play your own game.
There’s no point trying to be like anyone else – just be yourself and hopefully the goals will come.
“Gary Twigg is a legend here and always will be a legend here. Obviously I’d like to be one but it’s still early days and a long way to go.”
Gave it his all, just an out and out dogged grafter, which is what’s you want from your backrowers. signed my son’s jersey and couldn’t have been more polite. An absolute gent. Thanks for everything Kevin
Great player. Big loss to Irish and Leinster Rugby. Hope he stays involved in the game in some capacity as he has a lot to offer. All the best
That’s a shame. Great player and contributor to Leinster rugby. All the best to him.
Top bloke, sad to see him go.
All the best for the future Kev. Thanks for the memories.
Always sad to read this. A great servant to Leinster. Best of luck in whatever you decide to do.
Best of luck Kev- those line out steals v Leicester in the 1/4 finals kind of summed up that win for us (for me)- great performance from a true professional.
At least he has a few Ireland caps as a reward for his efforts. A gentleman on the pitch and very nearly missed out on it all a few years back. Deserves luck in the “afterlife”.
sad news. was a good player .
Showed belief and commitment to come through the injuries that dogged him til he was 25 , deserved his caps and was excellent for Leinster on so many occasions . Sad to see him go out this way , he deserves more .
Seems like a lot of players retiring lately!! Always gave it his all!! Wish him well for the future!!
Great player and total grafter that allowed others to take the plaudits . I hope he gets a break with a coaching role if he wants to continue. I suspect he’s got a lot to offer Irish and Leinster rugby.
Has ” an absolute gent” replaced ” ledge” as the cliche used to describe these guys ? Lol
Are calling Ken a CocoNUT?
is,he brown and hairy?
Sad to see a player that good having to finish like this but he has a life after rugby too , your health is your wealth Kevin , the very best of luck to you in the future