Eoin Kenny earns Northern Ireland senior call after strong under-21 campaign

Eoin Kenny has been called into Northern Ireland's senior squad for this month's Nations League matches against Ukraine and Hungary, with manager Michael O'Neill saying the selection was based on his performances rather than his family background. BBC Sport reported that the 20-year-old Portsmouth attacker earned the opportunity following a strong campaign with the under-21 side.

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Kenny is the son of former Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny and was born in Northern Ireland while his father was in charge of Derry City. He represented the Republic at under-19 level before switching to Northern Ireland's under-21 team. He has since made 11 appearances for Tommy Wright's side and captained them against Greece last month, building the international experience that preceded this senior selection.

O'Neill said he had not contacted Stephen Kenny before naming his son in the squad. Instead, he drew on Wright's assessment of a player already established in Northern Ireland's youth set-up. According to BBC Sport, Wright had given positive reports both on Kenny's performances and on his character. O'Neill said he viewed Kenny as a player and considered his family connection unimportant to the decision.

The call-up also gives the senior coaching staff a chance to assess Kenny directly while his club opportunities remain limited. He moved from Dundalk to Championship side Portsmouth during the summer transfer window and has made one appearance in the division. O'Neill said Kenny had made a positive impression since the move, but getting playing time had been difficult. Bringing him into camp would allow the manager to work with him instead of waiting for further club appearances.

O'Neill also framed the selection as evidence that under-21 players can progress to the senior national team. He said too many players had previously reached the end of their international involvement at under-21 level. Kenny's inclusion follows his work with Wright rather than an approach from outside the existing Northern Ireland system, with the senior manager citing that pathway as part of his reasoning.

The manager's explanation focused on assessment and opportunity, without promising Kenny a senior debut. The upcoming international window will let O'Neill evaluate the attacker within his own squad after relying on reports from the under-21 staff. For Kenny, the selection represents a further step through Northern Ireland's teams after his change of international allegiance and recent spell as under-21 captain.