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'He will be brilliant for Irish football' | Bradley on Kenny

Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley will have no issue with any of his squad getting a call-up f...



'He will be brilliant for Iris...
Soccer

'He will be brilliant for Irish football' | Bradley on Kenny

Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley will have no issue with any of his squad getting a call-up from Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny.

Bradley's team are currently top of the Premier Division and while Joey O'Brien's international days are behind him, both Jack Byrne and Graham Burke of the current Hoops squad already have Irish senior caps under their belt and former UCD pair Neil Farrugia and Liam Scales both played for Kenny's Irish under-21 team.

The new international boss is due to visit Tallaght Stadium for the Premier Division clash between Rovers and Shelbourne this Friday night ahead of his first squad announcement on Monday and Bradley would welcome the inclusion of any of his players, even if it occurs in the middle of the top-flight season.

"That's the rewards of doing well. If that happens, fantastic, because it means that we're doing something right and the players are doing something right and that can only be a positive," Bradley told OTB Sports.

Previous international managers have been criticised for a lack of desire to attend League of Ireland matches. That is  certainly not something that could be said of Kenny or, to be fair, his predecessor Mick McCarthy and Bradley has had plenty of contact from the former Dundalk manager.

"I've spoken to Stephen quite a lot since he's got the job and I'm delighted he's got the job because he's going to be brilliant for the country, in terms of for Irish football.

"I haven't spoken to him in any sort of detail regarding players or the squad but I've spoken to him quite a lot about football in general."

Kenny brings a wealth of experience to the role having won, among other things, five Premier Division titles, three FAI Cups and the incredible achievement of guiding Dundalk to the group stages of the Europa League in 2016.

There hasn't been an ex-League of Ireland manager in the Irish international hotseat since Brian Kerr was in charge nearly twenty years ago and Bradley believes that Kenny's achievements will command the respect of the Irish squad.

"I have no doubt that Stephen will get respect from the group. I think he's a proven manager, he's a fantastic manager. I think he's shown that over the years and especially with Dundalk, what he did with Dundalk year on year in the league and in Europe. I don't think that will be an issue at all."

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Jack Byrne Premier Division Republic Of Ireland SSE Airtricity League Shamrock Rovers Stephen Bradley Stephen Kenny Tallaght Stadium