Kenny’s planning Ireland’s fast show

STEPHEN KENNY believes he has gone some way to satisfying the Republic of Ireland’s need for speed and insists his latest recruits are no flash in the pan.

The Boys in Green boss (right) has added striker Michael Obafemi as well as flying wingers CJ Hamilton and Festy Ebosele to his squad for the start of the Nations League campaign this week.

Those four games are sandwiched into the space of 10 days, beginning with an away trip to Armenia on June 4, followed by back-toback games at Aviva Stadium against Ukraine and Scotland.

Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the quartet of fixtures ends with a second meeting with Ukraine at a neutral venue in the Polish city of Lodz.

While Swansea City’s Obafemi earned his sole senior cap under former manager Martin O’Neill three years ago, Blackpool’s Hamilton and Udinese’s new recruit from Derby, Ebosele, have received a first call-up at this level. Kenny’s overhaul of the squad continues apace – and he reckons the injection of even more new blood is required.

“We have good players, good technical players,” he said. “It’s great armoury to have.

“We’ve not always had that, not always been blessed with it.

“The need for speed is crucial in international football when you look at the top teams, unless you’re Spain and you can absolutely pass someone to death.

“All the top teams, speed is a vital component. It’s only one aspect. We have other players with different qualities, like Callum Robinson and Troy Parrott, Will Keane, who have different attributes.”