Head coach of the Republic of Ireland U21 squad Stephen Kenny was delighted to see Troy Parrott called up to the senior squad.
The 17-year-old has been in fantastic form for the U21s and while it may mean Kenny no longer has access to Parrott he is pleased to see him get the call up nonetheless.
“While we want to progress and try to qualify at U21 level it is ultimately about players progressing and becoming senior internationals.
“So I’m absolutely delighted for him that he’s called up. That’s the way it goes,” Kenny said.
The former Dundalk manager praised Parrott’s goal-scoring exploits for his own side and was happy to see him overcome injury struggles.
“Troy obviously has been unfortunate early in the season with a rib injury and he had that knee injury that ruled him out of the Toulon tournament and some subsequent internationals.
“You know, obviously in his first two internationals, he scored, at U21 level, three goals.
“Which was a terrific return and helped us to get six points against Armenia and Sweden.
“He played against Italy of course and he was quite unfortunately sent off in the game,” Kenny commented.
While Parrott is unavailable for the immediate future, Kenny didn’t rule out the possibility of him returning at a later date.
“I think we have seen it even recently with Italy where [Luca] Pellegrini and [Sandro] Tonali came back to the U21s from the senior team.
“Then after our international Tonali and Moise Keane were due to join up with the senior team for the second part of that.
“It is something that players are fluid in different countries. It’s not uncommon. So these things can happen and that’s not my decision.
“Whatever decision Mick [McCarthy] makes, Mick makes. I completely respect that,” Kenny commented.
Parrott could make his senior debut in under two weeks' time when Ireland take on New Zealand in a friendly at the Aviva Stadium on November 14th.
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