Republic of Ireland underage prospect Eoin Kenny, son of Ireland senior manager Stephen, has signed a professional contract with Dundalk.
The 17-year-old is a current member of the Ireland Under-18 schools squad and also represented Northern Ireland at the same age level last year.
He started supporting the Lilywhites back in 2012 when his father took over the reins at Oriel Park and then joined their academy from Rock Celtic.
The newly turned pro said it was a dream come true to sign for his "boyhood club".
"I'm delighted," he said.
"I’ve been supporting Dundalk since I was six and it’s a massive honour for me to sign as a professional. I can’t wait to get started and show what I can do.
"Some of the lads like John Mountney, Andy Boyle and Patrick Hoban were here when I first started coming to Oriel Park and to be able to learn things from players like that is a real privilege."
He featured on the bench in a Dundalk pre-season game after impressing in academy games last year and with Ireland.
Imagine if this went in?! 😬
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) January 23, 2023
Incredible 𝗥𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗮 effort from Eoin Kenny for the Ireland Schoolboys U18 side against Australia this weekend 😅@faischools | #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/V0bgacMCvd
Dundalk academy director Derek Boyle added: "It’s great to see Eoin rewarded with a professional contract at the club.
"He has a great attitude and is a very dedicated young man who has the hunger to go on and achieve more.
"At 17, he is still very young but training with the first team, while he continues to study for the Leaving Cert at St Mary’s College, will only help him with his development, on and off the pitch.
"That is something we place a big emphasis on at Dundalk Football Club because not only do we want to develop good players, we want to develop good people.
"His academy coaches over the last few years, Conor Woods and Tiarnan Mulvenna, have been a great help to him. We are all delighted for him and really hope that it goes well for him."
