Irish hopes in safe hands with Paddy, insists Kelly
For year after year, Kelly reported dutifully for duty in Dublin knowing only too well that it would take a miracle or — even more unlikely — a serious injury to Packie Bonner before he would get a sniff of first-class action between the posts for his country. Now and again, the opportunity did come his way though.
So if anybody is in a position to rummage inside Kenny’s head before the game in Cyprus, it is the current Irish goalkeeping coach.
“He can only be what he is,” said Kelly. “He has done very well for Sheffield United. He has taken every step up in level throughout his career and done very well.
“He has moved into it and moved forward. I don’t see why the step up to international football should be any harder, really. Playing in the Premiership, you are playing against some of the world’s greatest players week in, week out, who are in international teams anyway. So, it should be a natural step.”
It’s a measure of just how much we have come to rely on Given that Kenny has played only six games for Ireland — none in a competitive match — despite the fact he is 28.
Though a novice at international level, Kenny has an abundance of experience in the university of life, having come to professional football at a relatively late age.
That practical grounding was cemented by a number of years spent plying his trade in the lower echelons of the English game and his education has finally been completed this year with Sheffield United’s accession to the Premiership.
How much even this can prepare him for his first bout of competitive international football is another thing.
“I’d say there’s a little bit more hustle and bustle in the Premiership, it’s a little bit more robust,” reckoned Kelly. “It’s more dynamic in international football. When teams hurt you, they hurt you quickly. The quality is always there but it’s rapid movement and teams hurt you that way. In the
Premiership you see 10, 12 chances, crosses coming in, balls flying around, keepers under pressure.
“That’s the big difference but I don’t think there’s any difference in terms of the quality of players. In the Premiership there are so many international stars in their own right.”
For Kenny himself, it’s a far cry from his days spent eking out a nine-to-five on the back of his college education.
“Sometimes you have got to pinch yourself,” he reflected. “It’s only eight years ago that I was doing engineering work and working all week. Now I am playing in the best league in the world.”
Though he has been a permanent fixture on the Irish squad for over two years now, he will be something of an unknown entity to many people when he togs out tomorrow.
Many people will naturally remember most the fact that he was on duty when the Dutch walloped Ireland 4-0 a few months ago.
Few would argue that he was at fault for any of those goals, however, and it is comforting to know that his club manager, Neil Warnock, claimed this week that he would not swap him for even Given.
The summer saw him shed a stone in preparation for his Premiership bow and, though the Blades have struggled to come to grips with their new status this season, Kenny has been playing as well as he ever has.
“You could say so,” he agrees.
“Obviously I’ll see how this season goes. It’s going to be a tough test for us, and me personally, but I am just going to try and enjoy it, and hopefully I will keep doing well.”
Though a relatively quiet figure off the pitch, Kenny has few qualms about making his presence felt verbally on it when the occasion demands, according to Kelly.
Asked to expand on the Irish netminder’s other qualities, Kelly wastes little time arrowing in on the “rookie” keeper’s experience.
“He has played well over 300 games now and that’s always something you need. A good bank of experience helps. Playing in the Premiership as well will help his education but, as a goalkeeper, I like Paddy. He’s slightly unorthodox. He looks to get the game moving quickly, he looks to find an angle to get you on the attack and that’s what we’re looking for.”
On the face of it, Cyprus are probably one of the first opponents you would choose to face for your competitive bow. Despite an impressive head to head record against the Mediterranean minnows, Ireland have struggled against them in recent times. Particularly abroad.
Five years ago, the Irish took a 4-0 win away from Nicosia that belied the fact that Roy Keane had to drag the visitors to victory. Last year, Ireland blatantly pilfered a 1-0 success at the same venue.
Kenny has been phoning and texting the injured Given to find out exactly what he should expect but he knows himself it is unlikely to be easy.
“I think every game at international level is tough,” reasoned Kenny. “I do recall that game (last year). Shay had an exceptional game. He saved a penalty, but we’ll just have to see. It’s a year on. You don’t know what can happen.”
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