Dundalk FC is delighted to announce that Eoin Kenny has signed a professional contract with the club.
The 17-year-old, who is a current member of the Republic of Ireland U18 Schools squad, and who represented Northern Ireland at the same age level last year, will combine football training with his studies at St Mary’s College, Dundalk.
Eoin started supporting the Lilywhites back in 2012 when his father – and current Irish manager – Stephen, took over the reins at Oriel Park and he said it was a dream come true to sign for his ‘boyhood club’.
“I’m delighted,” he told dundalkfc.com. “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.”
The former Rock Celtic player is the latest academy prospect to sign a professional contract with the club, following in the footsteps of another local starlet, Ryan O’Kane.
Dundalk FC head coach Stephen O’Donnell, pictured with Eoin Kenny
“Ryan’s someone that all of the academy players are trying to replicate,” said Eoin. “He broke into the first team when he was young and that shows that Stephen O’Donnell will give you an opportunity if you’re good enough.”
“It’s great to see Eoin rewarded with a professional contract at the club,” said Dundalk FC academy director Derek Boyle. “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.”
