Who are 'Kenny's Kids'? The 24 players who made competitive debuts under now ex-Republic boss
- Published
Stephen Kenny waved goodbye to his time as Republic of Ireland manager
It's the end of an era as Stephen Kenny's time as the Republic of Ireland manager comes to an end.
While the on-pitch performances were disappointing, former Republic Under-21 boss Kenny often talked up his willingness to usher in the team's next generation.
This is backed up by the fact he handed out 24 (yes, twenty-four) competitive debuts in his three and a half years as manager, earning them the nickname Kenny's Kids.
He may no longer be at the helm, but Kenny has provided a platform for years to come. Let's take a look at 'Kenny's Kids', all 24 of them.
Goalkeepers
Gavin Bazunu
Club: Southampton Caps: 21 Debut: Luxembourg (H) March 2021
Since making his debut as a teenager against Luxembourg, Gavin Bazunu has established himself as the Republic's first-choice goalkeeper.
Bazunu has developed since departing Manchester City for Southampton. Playing regular football in the Premier League and Championship has only grown his game.
With 21 caps at 21 years of age, the former Shamrock Rovers stopper already looks good enough to keep the number one jersey in the years ahead.
Caoimhin Kelleher
Club: Liverpool Caps: 11 Debut: Hungary (A) June 2021
Caoimhin Kelleher is in the unfortunate position of being second in line at both club and country. He's behind Alisson in the pecking order at Liverpool where, let's face it, most goalkeepers would be.
For the Republic, the 24-year-old has often had to settle for a place on the bench behind Bazunu, but has been an able deputy when called upon in his 11 caps to date.
Mark Travers
Club: Bournemouth Caps: 4 Debut: Bulgaria (H) September 2019
If we're being strict, Bournemouth stopper Mark Travers actual made his international debut under Mick McCarthy. However, we're going off competitive debuts - hence why Andrew Moran won't get a mention further down the list - and the 24-year-old made his sole appearance under Kenny in the 3-2 defeat by Serbia in March 2021 with Kelleher and Darren Randolph injured and Bazunu still uncapped.
It didn't exactly go to plan and although he's been in every squad since, he's yet to step back onto the pitch in a competitive environment - restricted to 45 minutes in Kenny's last friendly.
Defenders
Nathan Collins
Club: Brentford Caps: 18 Goals: 2 Debut: Qatar (H) October 2021
After coming through the ranks at Stoke City, Nathan Collins has become an integral member of the Republic's team and has Premier League experience with Burnley, Wolves and Brentford.
The 22-year-old, who was named Ireland's men's player of the year in June, has the potential to be a rock in the Republic defence for the next 10 years.
Andrew Omobamidele
Club: Nottingham Forest Caps: 7 Debut: Portugal (A) September 2021
Nottingham Forest's decision to pay £11m for Omobamidele is a clear indicator of the centre-back's promise.
Days after making his Republic debut, he was handed his Premier League debut against Arsenal and was a regular for Norwich City in his time at the club.
He's been phased in and out a bit more of the international stage, but hopes are high.
Dara O'Shea
Club: Burnley Caps: 22 Debut: Finland (A) October 2020
After being handed his debut in Kenny's second window as boss, Dara O'Shea, bar a period out with a broken leg, has almost been ever-present in the Republic's squads.
Made more than 100 appearances for West Brom before a summer switch to Burnley, where he has been a regular on their Premier League return.
Liam Scales
Club: Celtic Caps: 3 Debut: Greece (H) October 2023
At the age of 25, Liam Scales had to bide his time before making his Republic debut at home to Greece in October.
He joined Celtic from Shamrock Rovers in 2021 but it was a season on loan at Aberdeen that really helped his development and he's now a regular for the Hoops and has been playing in the Champions League.
Festy Ebosele
Club: Udinese Caps: 2 Debut: France (A) September 2023
Clubs were queuing up for the signature of Festy Ebosele as his time at Derby County came to an end. Manager Wayne Rooney wanted him to stay in England, but Ebosele chose a different path with Udinese in Italy.
It's paid off, and his fine form with his club led to an international debut against France in September.
Ryan Manning
Club: Southampton Caps: 11 Debut: Bulgaria (H) November 2020
Ryan Manning had to bide his time to make his senior debut, which came under Kenny in the Nations League in 2020.
After moving to England with Queen's Park Rangers, the 27-year-old joined Swansea in the year he made his international debut before a switch to Southampton in the summer.
Midfielders
Josh Cullen
Club: Burnley Caps: 32 Debut: Bulgaria (H) September 2019
Technically made his debut pre-Kenny under McCarthy, but, like Travers, was handed his first competitive match by the former Dundalk boss.
His competitive bow came against Wales in the Nations League in October 2020 and the 27-year-old has established himself as a key member of Kenny's midfield.
Jayson Molumby
Club: West Brom Caps: 24 Debut: Finland (H) September 2020
Jayson Molumby, 24, is a proper Kenny's Kid given he was his captain in the Republic's Under-21s before being his handed his senior debut in Kenny's first squad as senior manager.
After coming through Brighton's academy, Molumby made the switch to West Brom in 2022 and has flourished, becoming an important player for club and country.
Jason Knight
Club: Bristol City Caps: 26 Goals: 1 Debut: Finland (A) October 2020
After representing the Republic of Ireland at every underage level, it seemed inevitable that Jason Knight would make his senior debut.
The 22-year-old has won 26 caps and has impressed at Bristol City after leaving Derby County in the summer, after coming through the ranks with the Rams.
Mark Sykes
Club: Bristol City Caps: 3 Debut: Malta (A) November 2022
There was a lot of hype as Mark Sykes became the first Belfast-born player to play for the Republic of Ireland in 76 years in Sunday's 1-0 friendly win over Malta.
The 26-year-old got seven minutes against Gibraltar in October as he failed to fully force his way into Kenny's plans, but he did play the full 90 against New Zealand.
Will Smallbone
Club: Southampton Caps: 5 Debut: Latvia (H) March 2023
After a promising underage career, Southampton midfielder Will Smallbone hasn't had the easiest career to date with an alopecia diagnosis while he was recovering from an ACL injury.
A loan spell at Stoke City helped him push on in senior football, and the 23-year-old was rewarded with a first senior appearance by Kenny in March 2023 and has won five caps to date.
Jamie McGrath
Club: Aberdeen Caps: 12 Debut: Andorra (A) June 2021
After impressing with St Pat's Athletic and Dundalk in the League of Ireland, McGrath earned a move to Scotland and St Mirren in 2020.
He's now back in Scotland with Aberdeen after an unsuccessful stint with Wigan, and now he is getting constant action in the SPL he has been a more regular fixture in the international set-up.
Forwards
Evan Ferguson
Club: Brighton Caps: 10 Goals: 3 Debut: Norway (H) November 2022
We don't need to say too much here given Evan Ferguson has exploded on to the scene with Brighton in the Premier League. One of the brightest prospects anywhere in world football, never mind in Ireland.
The 19-year-old is still feeling his way into international football, but three goals in nine caps isn't a bad way to start things off.
Chiedozie Ogbene
Club: Luton Town Caps: 19 Goals: 4 Debut: Hungary (A) June 2021
Like Ferguson, Ogbene has been superb for club and country over the past 12 months. Eligible to represent the Irish or Nigeria, Ogbene approached Kenny about declaring for the Republic.
He made his debut in Hungary in June 2021, becoming the first African-born player to represent the Republic of Ireland.
The 26-year-old's game has grown as he helped Luton Town to promotion to the Premier League. His four goals at international offer an added threat from out wide, too.
Adam Idah
Club: Norwich City Caps: 22 Goals: 3 Debut: Bulgaria (A) September 2020
Like Parrott, there have been high hopes for Adam Idah, who is a regular for Norwich is both the Premier League and Championship.
Made his debut at the start of Kenny's reign, who he also played with at Under-21 level, and his three international goals have come in the past six months, highlighting how he has developed as a striker despite the emergence of Ferguson as the Republic's main threat.
Troy Parrott
Club: Excelsior, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur Caps: 21 Goals: 4 Debut: New Zealand (H) November 2019
There has been a lot of hype surrounding Troy Parrott since he emerged in the Irish underage ranks, and he actually made his senior debut under McCarthy against New Zealand in 2019.
However, it was a first competitive appearance in Kenny's first squad as boss that saw him become a squad regular, although the 21-year-old perhaps hasn't hit the heights that many would have hoped.
He did, however, net in the famous Nations League win over Scotland in 2022.
Mikey Johnston
Club: Celtic Caps: 8 Goals: 2 Debut: Latvia (H) March 2023
After lining out for Scotland's underage sides, Mikey Johnston made a highly-anticipated switch to the Republic of Ireland in March 2023.
He's brought a new dimension to the Irish attack with pace and power, although his lack of minutes for Celtic at club level has been a concern.
Sinclair Armstrong
Club: Queens Park Rangers Caps: 1 Debut: Netherlands (A) September 2023
At just 20 years of age, time is on Sinclair Armstrong's side as he looks to break into the Republic's striking options.
A regular goalscorer for the Under-21s, he made his senior debut as a late substitute against the Netherlands at the Aviva Stadium in September.
Jack Byrne
Club: Shamrock Rovers Caps: 4 Debut: Bulgaria (H) September 2019
Another man who won his first cap under McCarthy, becoming the 500th man to play for the Republic of Ireland, but was handed a competitive debut once Kenny took over the reigns.
Featured in the Nations League under Kenny against Wales, where he became the first Irish-based player to feature in a competitive match for the Republic of Ireland since 1985.
He left Shamrock Rovers in 2021 for Cyprus, McCarthy and Apoel FC, however he returned to Tallaght Stadium just after a season after nine months and has yet to feature on the international stage.
Will Keane
Club: Preston North End Caps: 5 Debut: Portugal (H) November 2021
If this article is about Kenny's kids, then it's safe to say Will Keane is the elder of the pack. The former Manchester United striker, 30, was handed his competitive debut by Kenny in the home draw with Portugal in November 2021.
He's been out of the squad more than he has been in it, although he did get 10 minutes against the French in September to win his fifth cap.
CJ Hamilton
Club: Blackpool Caps: 1 Debut: Ukraine (H) June 2022
This would probably be a 'Pointless' answer on the BBC teatime quiz show, as it's fair to say not too many people remember CJ Hamilton's one and only Republic appearance.
The winger, 28, made his debut at home to Ukraine as a 78th-minute substitute in the Nations League in 2022 but hasn't featured since.