AARON CONN DO IT ALL

New Irish boss Kenny a huge admirer of Seagulls starlet

AARON CONNOLLY can be Stephen Kenny’s ace in the hole as Ireland push for Euro play-off glory.

The versatility shown by Connolly, 20, will propel him into Kenny’s plans in the coming months.

On the back of making an immediate impact with Brighton, the Galweigian’s first two senior caps came last October in Euro 2020 qualifiers against Georgia and Switzerland, just days after scoring a Premier League brace against Tottenham.

Having played him on both wings and through the middle at under-21 level, Kenny likes the value the young attacker adds.

“Aaron can play anywhere across the front three because, most likely, we won’t be playing with a front two,” said Kenny yesterday in his first sociallydistant press conference since taking charge in April. “You need cohesive movement between your centre forward and wide players. So Aaron could do a lot.”

Kenny’s comments came on the same day that Robbie Keane was celebrating his 40th birthday and Connolly has similar characteristics to the Tallaght man, while not yet making the same sort of impact in front of goal as Ireland’s record goalscorer made.

For Kenny, there’s so much more to Connolly’s game, though, than scoring goals.

“I’ve been giving tasks to the other coaches to take four or five players during that week, watch three of their matches and then analyse them,” said the Dubliner.

“Then, they clip all their clips so we then go through them here in Abbotstown.

“We’ve done Aaron Connolly and his close control with his back to goal is actually exceptional. He really looks after the ball, he’s not just a fella who runs in behind.

“He can play one touch and he can take the ball in tight areas and doesn’t give it away as well.

“Aaron is still growing as a young man but performed very well for the under-21 team.

“He also came on against Georgia and started against Switzerland for the senior team – a big jump for him compared to where he was a year ago.”

Kenny hasn’t even met his new squad yet but is determined to make the most of this time.

“Obviously it’s been different and you have to maximise the opportunities you have,” he said.

“It’s disappointing but, listen, you’ve got to have a broader view. In our country, over 1700 people have died. That’s a real crisis.

“In England, you can’t go to the games, but there’s still a great opportunity through Wyscout and all the various channels to see nearly 40 players playing all their games.

“I just want as many players playing as possible. That’s important.

“It’s not the same without supporters. Away supporters can inspire players to achieve extraordinary things.

“But you have to adapt. We just make sure we prepare well, and all the players know exactly what is expected of them – how we’re going to play.”