For Kenny’s Ireland, EFL Championship is the new Premier League

Gavin Cummiskey

“Composure personified,” said Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny after Andrew Omobamidele took his chance against Serbia in October 2021 when Dara O’Shea and Nathan Collins were both injured.

“He is so quick. When you are that quick and that composed and you are that physical, they are great attributes. But it is only the start for him. He has got to build on that now.”

Following eight arduous months recuperating from a fractured back, the 20-year-old’s time to build is now.

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Bookmakers have Norwich City as favourites to instantly return to the Premier League. The club’s habit of yo-yoing between promotion and relegation these past four years comes down to Teemu Pukki.

The Finnish striker bagged 29 goals as the Canaries were promoted in 2019. After 11 goals in 36 Premier League outings, as Norwich were relegated, he scored 26 in 41 Championship matches as they went straight back up, only to be sunk last season with Pukki again registering 11 of the club’s abysmal 23 top flight goals.

At 32-years-old Pukki might need a little help from Adam Idah this time around. The 21-year-old Irish centre forward has almost recovered from a knee injury that stalled encouraging progress in 2021.

Idah is strong and quick but he’s not a natural goalscorer. Despite an impressive return for the Ireland under-21s – five in 11 appearances – the Cork man is yet to register in 13 senior caps with one goal from 29 Premier League runs making his hat-trick in the 2020 FA Cup defeat of Preston North End a nice anomaly.

If Idah and Omobamidele stay healthy, Carrow Road will welcome Kenny on plenty of occasions this season as Dean Smith will turn to the Irish youths, especially Omobamidele, to dominate opponents in the English second tier.

“I expect really big things from Andrew to come,” said Smith recently. “He’s a talented player, he’s athletic, good in the air. He has all the attributes to be a top centre-half for us.”

With four defenders departing this summer, City need Omobamidele to be that top defender come next Saturday’s season opener at Cardiff City. This match might come too soon for Idah but current Ireland under-21 centre back Mark McGuinness will hope to break into the Welsh side.

Besides Ireland’s Premier League goalkeepers – Gavin Bazunu, Caoimhín Kelleher and Mark Travers – and elite defenders Nathan Collins, Seamus Coleman and Matt Doherty, the management will do the lion’s share of their scouting on Championship Saturdays and Tuesdays.

Norwich and Burnley’s relegation coupled with the promotion of Wigan Athletic, Rotherham United and Sunderland from League One means that 20-plus Irish squad regulars should get the game minutes Kenny has repeatedly stated as vital for selection.

There have been casualties along the way, like Jamie McGrath, who will probably return to the Scottish Premiership after failing to make an impact at Wigan. That’s a pity as Kenny and his assistant Keith Andrews will be regular visitors to Greater Manchester to watch James McClean and see whether Will Keane can replicate 29 League One goals on the higher tier.

Only two of 24 Championship squads, Watford and Coventry City, have no Irish qualified players so the EFL is to Kenny what the Premier League was to Jack Charlton in early the 1990s.

There are multiple teams to keep tabs on, like Swansea City, where Michael Obafemi bagged 12 goals last season, 11 in the last 19 games, before his wonder strike and assist for Troy Parrott had the Aviva Stadium shaking in June’s 3-0 defeat of Scotland.

Swansea’s season opener is away to Rotherham, where Chiedozie Ogbene and former Bohs striker Georgie Kelly have linked up well in preseason.

It is conceivable that Jason Knight will escape from relegated Derby County to a Championship club, although Werder Bremen are reportedly interested in the 21-year -old midfielder, who has become a vital cog in the Ireland machine.

Spurs boss Antonio Conte has used Parrott in preseason matches but Richarlison’s arrival from Everton should prompt the 20-year-old to seek another season-long loan. Numerous Championship clubs would be interested with Sunderland a looking a likely destination according to the rumour mill.

Birmingham City

Last season: 20th

Irish in squad:

Scott Hogan

Centre forward

Age: 30

Caps: 11 (0 goals)

Value to Ireland: Three years after an underwhelming eight caps, he was parachuted into the Ireland team this summer against Scotland and Ukraine, making next to no impact.

Blackburn Rovers

Last season: 8th

Irish in squad:

James Brown

Right back

Age: 24

Caps: 0

Value to Ireland: The former Drogheda United skipper is reportedly going out on loan with Sammie Szmodics a target for Roves manager Jon Dahl Tomasson.

Blackpool

Last season: 16th

Irish in squad:

Richard Keogh

Centre back

Age: 35

Caps: 26 (1 goal)

Value to Ireland: Old war horse remains useful to Blackpool but Keogh’s international days appear numbered.

CJ Hamilton

Winger

Age: 27

Caps: 1

Value to Ireland: Bizarre debut off the bench in the recent 1-0 home defeat to Ukraine when his final ball was ineffective.

Bristol City

Last season: 17th

Irish in squad:

Max O’Leary

Goalkeeper

Age: 25

Caps: 0

Value to Ireland: Fourth-choice Ireland goalkeeper only made nine Championship appearances last season.

Mark Sykes

Midfield

Age: 24

Caps: 0

Value to Ireland: Summer switch from Oxford United, where the midfielder scored eight goals last season, might keep him on international radar.

Burnley

Last season: Relegated

Irish in squad:

Kevin Long

Centre back

Age: 31

Caps: 17 (1 goal)

Value to Ireland: Four defensive signings by new manager Vincent Kompany do not bode well for the Cork man.

Luke McNally

Centre back

Age: 22

Caps: 0

Value to Ireland: Long road to English Championship via League of Ireland stints at Drogheda and St Pat’s finally paid off with summer move after Nathan Collins left for Wolves.

Josh Cullen

Midfield

Age: 26

Caps: 20

Value to Ireland: Herculean display as holding midfielder against Ukraine in Lodz reinforced his importance to national team. Kompany brought him from Anderlecht to Burnley for a bargain £2.7 million.

Cardiff City

Last season: 18th

Irish in squad:

Mark McGuinness

Centre back

Age: 21

Caps: 0

Value to Ireland: Maturing before our eyes as Jim Crawford’s Ireland under-21s are on the cusp of qualifying for a major tournament for the first time.

Joel Bagan

Left back

Age: 20

Caps: 0

Value to Ireland: Highly rated by Mick McCarthy, the Ireland under-21 fullback will compete with Nigerian international Jamilu Collins for the left wing back slot.

Callum O’Dowda

Winger

Age: 27

Caps: 23

Value to Ireland: Attacking ability never in question and preseason form for Bluebirds indicates a recall to Ireland camp come September. Injury permitting.

Huddersfield Town

Last season: 3rd

Irish in squad:

Danny Grant

Winger

Age: 22

Caps: 0

Value to Ireland: Mostly hamstrung since moving over from Bohemians in January 2021, big season ahead for a quality winger.

Hull City

Last season: 19th

Irish in squad:

Sean McLoughlin

Centre back

Age: 25

Caps: 0

Value to Ireland: Way down the national pecking order but regular left centre-half in average Hull team last season.

Luton Town

Last season: 6th

Irish in squad:

Glen Rea

Midfield

Age: 27

Caps: 0

Value to Ireland: The former Ireland under-21 had last season’s loan move to Wigan cut short by a serious knee injury.

Louie Watson

Midfield

Age: 21

Caps: 0

Value to Ireland: New signing from Derby County, won six caps for Crawford’s under 21s last year.

Middlesbrough

Last season: 7th

Irish in squad:

Darragh Lenihan

Centre back

Age: 28

Caps: 3

Value to Ireland: The former Blackburn Rovers captain made the summer switch as it improves his chances of playing Premier League and having started against Ukraine in June he presumably wants to remain in the international frame.

Millwall

Last season: 9th

Irish in squad:

Danny McNamara

Right back

Age: 23

Caps: 0

Value to Ireland: There is a gang of right-sided players above him but the Millwall regular remains in the shop window.

Norwich City

Last season: Relegated

Irish in squad:

Andrew Omobamidele

Centre back

Age: 20

Caps: 5

Value to Ireland: When Paul McGrath tweets about a teenage defender the future looks a little brighter.

Adam Idah

Centre forward

Age: 21

Caps: 13 (0 goals)

Value to Ireland: Ireland have Parrott and Obafemi to score goals, but nobody holds possession like this maturing Cork athlete.

Preston North End

Last season: 13th

Irish in squad:

Greg Cunningham

Left back

Age: 31

Caps: 4

Value to Ireland: Left back’s last cap was against Poland in 2013. Only 16 league starts last season due to injury.

Alan Browne

Midfield

Age: 27

Caps: 23 (4 goals)

Value to Ireland: The Preston skipper made himself indispensable to the national team by expertly filling the right wing back slot in recent Nations League ties.

Robbie Brady

Age: 30

Caps: 57 (8 goals)

Value to Ireland: Encouraging preseason and if the body holds up at his third club in two years an international recall is guaranteed. Big IF for a great servant with too many lost years.

Sean Maguire

Age: 28

Caps: 12 (1 goal)

Value to Ireland: Like Brady, if Maguire gets on the pitch and stays there, the Irish management will select on form.

QPR

Last season: 11th

Irish in squad:

Conor Masterson

Centre back

Age: 23

Caps: 0

Value to Ireland: Career slowed after captaining Ireland under-21s in 2020 with loan moves to Swindon, Cambridge and Gillingham, but manager Mick Beale has used him in preseason games.

Jimmy Dunne

Centre back

Age: 24

Caps: 0

Value to Ireland: Called up to squad in June, when Shane Duffy was suspended, but Lenihan was preferred in a back three alongside Collins and O’Shea.

Olamide Shodipo

Winger

Age: 25

Caps: 0

Value to Ireland: QPR extended his contract by 12 months despite the latest injury-ruined loan move to Sheffield Wednesday.

Reading

Last season: 21st

Irish in squad:

Jeff Hendrick

Midfield

Age: 30

Caps: 74 (2 goals)

Value to Ireland: Interesting loan move from Newcastle, the Dubliner has already won the fans over with preseason goals and slick distribution.

Shane Long

Age: 35

Caps: 88 (17 goals)

Value to Ireland: Reading manager Paul Ince calls it a “fairytale” return to Reading after 11 years. An international recall would require goals, and plenty of them.

Rotherham United

Last season: Promoted

Irish in squad:

Chiedozie Ogbene

Winger

Age: 25

Caps: 10 (3 goals)

Value to Ireland: Explosive pace. After playing right wing back in League One, it looks like Rotherham manager Paul Warne will use Ogbene in his Ireland position behind the striker.

Peter Kioso

Right back

Age: 22

Caps: 0

Value to Ireland: With Ogbene moving up front, a gap has opened for the new wing back signing from Luton Town.

Georgie Kelly

Centre forward

Age: 25

Caps: 0

Value to Ireland: Bohs legend. Top marksman in the League of Ireland last season, he only needed 10 minutes to score on debut for Rotherham, a goal that secured promotion and relegated Gillingham. Even took a yellow card for stripping.

Joshua Kayode

Centre forward

Age: 21

Caps: 0

Value to Ireland: Lagos-born, Dublin-reared, buckets of potential. Jostling with Evan Ferguson to start up front for Ireland under-21s, where he impressed in June’s famous 3-1 victory over Montenegro.

Sheffield United

Last season: 5th

Irish in squad:

John Egan

Centre back

Age: 29

Caps: 29 (1 goal)

Value to Ireland: Immeasurable. Central figure in an Irish back three with long, accurate passing and sorties up the left.

Ciaran Clark

Centre back

Age: 32

Caps: 36 (2 goals)

Value to Ireland: Smart loan move from Newcastle United as a run beside Egan might lead to an Ireland recall.

Enda Stevens

Left back

Age: 32

Caps: 25

Value to Ireland: Lost ground to James McClean after injury but remains a reliable alternative at left wing back.

Stoke City

Last season: 14th

Irish in squad:

Gavin Kilkenny

Midfield

Age: 22

Caps: 12

Value to Ireland: Key member of Irish under-21s, broke into Bournemouth team at the start of last season but manager Scott Parker extended his contract before loaning him to Michael O’Neill’s Stoke, where he is set replace Welsh general Joe Allen.

Will Smallbone

Midfield

Age: 22

Caps: 0

Value to Ireland: Hugely promising loan move from Southampton, Smallbone and Kilkenny have provided the creative spark for the Irish 21s, so Stoke are getting an established combination.

Sunderland

Last season: Promoted

Irish in squad:

Dennis Cirkin

Left back

Age: 20

Caps: 0

Value to Ireland: Born in Dublin to Latvian parents, caps at underage for England do not necessarily mean he is lost to Ireland.

Swansea City

Last season: 15th

Irish in squad -

Ryan Manning

Left back

Age: 26

Caps: 6

Value to Ireland: Unused during most recent Nations League window, needs a tidy start to campaign if he’s to challenge McClean and Stevens.

Michael Obafemi

Centre forward

Age: 22

Caps: 4 (1 goal)

Value to Ireland: Glorious goal against Scotland in June, if he stays injury-free, this skilled goalscorer has no ceiling.

West Bromwich Albion

Last season: 10th

Irish in squad:

Dara O’Shea

Centre back

Age: 23

Caps: 13

Value to Ireland: With serious competition for two centre half slots, either side of Nathan Collins, this expert passer is well capable of becoming undroppable.

Jayson Molumby

Midfield

Age: 22

Caps: 14

Value to Ireland: Absolutely proved his enduring worth to Ireland when the system changed to 3-5-2 and two number eights. Loves a tackle.

Callum Robinson

Winger

Age: 27

Caps: 30 (7 goals)

Value to Ireland: Capable of the spectacular, as he proved in Azerbaijan last year, needs to guarantee his club position to continually start for Ireland. Rumours of a possible switch to Preston.

Wigan Athletic

Last season: Promoted

Irish in squad:

James McClean

Winger

Age: 33

Caps: 95 (11 goals)

Value to Ireland: Priceless. A true servant to the national cause, a boxing regime makes his age irrelevant and his enduring influence prompted Kenny to make him captain against Ukraine.

Jamie McGrath

Midfield

Age: 25

Caps: 6 (2 goals)

Value to Ireland: The example that proved the rule, McGrath was excluded from recent squads after struggling to command minutes at his new club. Needs a break.

Will Keane

Centre forward

Age: 29

Caps: 4 (0 goals)

Value to Ireland: Struggled in his first real audition, the March friendly against Lithuania, but height and eye for goal makes him a useful option.