Stephen Kenny says Robbie Brady’s return to the Ireland squad is totally on merit, not sentiment.
The Dubliner was today named in Kenny’s 24-man Irish squad for the upcoming Nations League matches away to Scotland and at home to Armenia. The 30-year-old last played for Ireland in a 1-1 friendly against Qatar in March 2021.
However, having finally got a break from problematic knee and hamstring injuries, Brady’s impressive run of form with Preston North End has earned him an international recall.
“It’s 18 months out of the squad for Robbie. He is one of our better players for sure, all things being equal. But things haven’t been equal for him because his body has let him down, frequently, and that has been most unfortunate,” said Kenny.
“It’s just good to see him, he’s only in on absolute merit, we do admire him as a player and the talent he possesses. But he’s in because his performances for Preston have been different really for a left wing back.
“He offers you different things, he’s a very creative passer from that position, quality crossing and he just sees things so early and has played well in that position to date this season. I’ve been a few times to see Preston obviously and I’ve enjoyed his performances.”
Brady is not the only absentee making a return to the squad, with Callum O’Dowda and Andrew Omobamidele also back. Cardiff City’s O’Dowda last made an appearance for Ireland in November 2020.
“He is talented, left-footed and a direct dribbler. But he has not been able to get a run of games with his previous club Bristol City,” said Kenny.
“He got a really bad hamstring injury and it reoccurred, it’s been a really difficult period for Callum so he’s been through a lot because he’s had a few false dawns where it looked like he was getting back and then it went again.
“Sometimes you get that with explosive players, so he’s been through a lot. He’s moved to Cardiff and started the season well. He played in four different positions – on the right wing, the left wing, as a left back and wing back.
“He’s quite a versatile player and I would hope that he would be potentially someone that’s important, a significant player for us in the qualifications for the European Championships between March and November. I would hope that he would be involved.”
Norwich centre half Omobamidele will be involved for the first time since November 2021 after overcoming a stress fracture.
“He had a long period out after bursting on the scene, had a really exceptional start to his international career and only played seven club games when we played him, and he didn’t disappoint. We knew what we were getting and he really excelled,” said Kenny.
Kenny also defended Swansea City’s Michael Obafemi, who has had a difficult spell after almost leaving the club to join Burnley in the last transfer window. Obafemi has fallen out of favour with Swansea manager Russell Martin, who has omitted him from recent matchday squads and questioned whether he was in the right frame of mind to play.
“I’ve spoken to Michael and like everything else there are two or three sides to every story. Certainly Michael wants to play football, he wants to play for Swansea,” said Kenny.
“Obviously he has been omitted from the last couple of squads after the deadline-day bids and so forth. It’s not ideal, we want our players playing and coming in in good form. It’s just one of those things, I’m sure he’ll be back playing shortly.
“We’re delighted to have him in the squad because we have watched him a few times this season and he has played well, he has been at the level he finished off last season.
“Okay, maybe that has not been translated in goals but I went to see him against Blackpool where he ran 60 yards and was right in on goal to win the game and unselfishly laid it off to Olivier Ntcham to win the game. And he scored a great goal against Millwall, so he has done some good things and his form has been good overall.”
Republic of Ireland Squad — Scotland & Armenia
Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O’Leary (Bristol City)
Defenders: Séamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Duffy (Fulham), John Egan (Sheffield United), Nathan Collins (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Dara O’Shea (West Bromwich Albion), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Robbie Brady (Preston North End).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jeff Hendrick (Reading), Jason Knight (Derby County), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Conor Hourihane (Derby County), Callum O’Dowda (Cardiff City).
Forwards: Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Michael Obafemi (Swansea City), Troy Parrott (Preston North End), Callum Robinson (Cardiff City), Scott Hogan (Birmingham City).
Fixtures — UEFA Nations League
September 24: Scotland v Republic of Ireland, Hampden Park, 7.45pm
September 27th: Republic of Ireland v Armenia, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm
