Stephen Kenny said that Shamrock Rovers midfielder Jack Byrne has been selected in the Ireland squad on merit ahead of next week's Euro 2020 play-off against Slovakia.
Byrne is the only home-based player named in Kenny's 25-man squad ahead of the trip to Bratislava and Kenny said that he has been impressed by Byrne since he missed out on the recent games against Bulgaria and Finland.
The midfielder put in an impressive performance against AC Milan in the Europa League match at Tallaght Stadium and helped the Hoops to a 4-0 victory over league champions Dundalk on Sunday.
"He’s in the squad on merit," said Kenny, speaking at a press conference at FAI headquarters.
"Jack has played quite well; did well against AC Milan and he followed that up with two goals at the weekend."
The manager did emphasise the fact that Byrne’s addition would strengthen the midfield department rather than replace those who played in the Nations League games.
Asked if he felt an onus to include Jack Byrne because of his League of Ireland background, Stephen Kenny gave a frank response. https://t.co/hYgs1AMAN3 pic.twitter.com/8t9dEUOpBb
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) September 29, 2020
Kenny said that he was happy with how his midfield performed in the two games against Bulgaria and Finland, but did offer an insight into how he views the Shamrock Rovers midfielder.
"I think he is a very good player, but I don’t think that is a criticism of any of the players that were in the squad for the last two games.
"He is different, he has a range of passes, which is very interesting and very effective. He has good vision and is a talented midfielder player.
"There is good competition in the squad. Jack is a good player but we have a lot of other good players in the squad.
"We used the last Nations League games and we played six midfielders, and some of that was looking after players that were just coming into pre-season and some of that enabled us to get a look at our options in midfield.
"And some of the player who came in did terrifically well, I thought and I was very, very pleased with how some of the midfielders did."
A brilliant Jack Byrne goal from a tight angle put the icing on the cake for @ShamrockRovers against Dundalk tonight @RTE2 #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/CV6S2HfuVp
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) September 27, 2020
The manager made his name in the League of Ireland, and with Byrne being the only player from the SSE Airtricity League in the squad of 25, Kenny was asked whether he was under any pressure to include a home-based player.
"You wouldn’t really know me if you asked that question. I don’t agree with that," said Kenny.
"I’m not influenced by anyone else. Myself and the coaching staff get together and make the decisions based on what I see."
Another player who has been included in the squad to face Slovakia is Blackburn Rovers defender Derrick Williams, who has been partnering fellow Ireland defender Darragh Lenihan in the heart of the defence for the Ewood Park club in recent weeks.
And it is clear that Kenny is a fan of Williams, who he sees as being a very good footballing option as well as offering versatility in the defence, both centrally and as cover for regualar left-back Enda Stevens.
"Derrick is a terrific footballer," said Kenny.
"He was left back for many years and he has been playing regualrly with Darragh Lenihan as left centre-back.
"His versatility is important and it gives us a good option at left back as he is a good defender, and the fact that he can play at left centre-back as well is an option, and it is good to have that versatility in the squad."
Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (West Ham United), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (Bournemouth)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), Shane Duffy (Celtic, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Derrick Williams (Blackburn Rovers)
Midfielders: Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), James McCarthy (Crystal Palace), Harry Arter (Nottingham Forest), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jayson Molumby (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jack Byrne (Shamrock Rovers), Robbie Brady (Burnley)
Forwards: Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City), Aaron Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), David McGoldrick (Sheffield United), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Shane Long (Southampton)
