New Bhoy wonder Johnny Kenny has shown that his first start for Celtic won't be his last

In one sense, it's probably no bad thing for Johnny Kenny that he's largely been restricted to cameo roles since returning to Celtic at the turn of the year.
The Irish striker's season effectively began on February 23 last year when he ran out at Shelbourne's Tolka Park in the colours of his loan club Shamrock Rovers.
As Celtic were winding down after claiming the double last summer, Kenny's season was in full swing.
Interspersed with League of Ireland games, he played Champions League qualifiers against Vikingur and Sparta Prague.
There then came a blizzard of Conference League matches against stellar names including Rapid Vienna and Chelsea.
All told, he made 36 appearances for Stephen Bradley's side, scoring 20 times. And all that before checking back into Lennoxtown in December and being asked to show what he could do in the second half of Celtic's season.
Aware of the need to manage his workload, Brendan Rodgers has wrapped Kenny in cotton wool.
In the eight games encompassing his debut against Dundee and last weekend's game with Hibs, he was afforded a total of 66 minutes from the bench.
There were flashes of promise, but it would require Rodgers to grant him a chance to play from the outset for any observer to make any proper assessment of his ability.
After starring for 70 minutes and scoring in Celtic's comprehensive win over Aberdeen, it can be said with some certainty that his first start won't be his last. There's an assured first touch, pace and game-intelligence in his impressive package.
Signed from Sligo Rovers on a five-year deal in 2022, Kenny was never going to be an overnight success at Parkhead.
He played for Celtic's B team then went out on loan to Queen's Park. He won a title after moving to Rovers for their 2023 season, but it was still deemed too soon for him to push for a place with his parent club.
A second loan deal with Bradley's side was arranged and proved to be mutually beneficial. With Kenny on board, Rovers became the first League of Ireland side to qualify for the knockout round of a European competition. The experience he gained in Dublin has turned him into a viable option for Rodgers.
A spectacular diving header at Pittodrie to claim Celtic's fourth of the night might well prove to be the be the first of many.
'He's come in and obviously been limited in his opportunities, but it's not stopped him,' said Rodgers.
'He's worked so hard every day and it was just about timing, really. It was about giving him the opportunity and he took it.
'It was a fantastic goal. His movement was really good. So, that gave him huge confidence.
'I like him as a player. He's obviously come into Celtic earlier, went away, got some experience.
'He's grown over the few months we've had him from January. He's got stronger.
'His movement's really good and he's a natural goal scorer from 25 yards in.
'He can get the goal that he did tonight and is good with his left foot and right foot. I'm so pleased for him.
'A young guy from Ireland, playing for Celtic and then scoring your first goal at Pittodrie was amazing for him.'
On a night when Maik Nawrocki also notched his first goal for the club with a thumping downward header, Rodgers' fringe players gave him substantial food for thought.
Another of the wave of academy players who are now knocking on the door, 17-year-old midfielder Sean McArdle also caught the eye after being given the final nine minutes.
A delightful pass opened up the Dons' defence just before Adam Idah claimed his 20th goal of the season.
Backing up an impressive debut from the bench against Hibs, McArdle evidently is winning his manager's trust.
'I liked him when he came on,' Rodgers added.
'I like the young players. Any Celtic player has to have personality.
'And you could see at 17, he comes into the game, he gets the ball, he passes it.
'He's got a wee edge to him as well that I like. And he plays a lovely little one round the corner, which leads to Adam's goal.
'And that's the personality you need to have to play for Celtic. So, yes, I was really pleased for Sean.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Independent

14 minutes ago

• The Independent

FA approves radical change to Women's Super League

Plans for the Women's Super League to be expanded to 14 teams have been approved by the FA Board, passing its final hurdle. The news comes after WSL clubs voted to expand the top flight from 12 to 14 earlier in the week. FA approval was needed due to the 'golden share' which the association holds over the women's game. The plans will now come into place for the 2026/27 season, with the top two teams in the Women's Super League 2 promoted automatically at the end of the upcoming campaign. A relegation play-off between the bottom WSL side and third-placed WSL 2 outfit will decide the final spot of the enlarged division. A statement, published on the FA's website, read: 'The FA Board has approved proposals made by WSL Football to increase the size of the Barclays Women's Super League (BWSL) to 14 clubs. These approvals were made pursuant to The FA's rights under its special share in the leagues and also FA Rules.' From the 2026/27 onwards, one club will be automatically promoted into the WSL with the worst performing side in the top-flight relegated. Then, the 13th-placed side in the top tier will face the second-placed WSL 2 team in a play-off. The FA's statement added: 'There will be consequential changes to promotion throughout the remainder of the women's football pyramid for the 2025-26 season, which will be decided in due course. 'The growth of the WSL and the WSL 2 reflects the ongoing evolution of the women's professional game in England which we consider will be of benefit to all clubs.' Initial plans to remove relegation all together were scraped after backlash from supporters, with clubs instead approving the new 14-team arrangement.

BreakingNews.ie

19 minutes ago

• BreakingNews.ie

GAA weekend preview: What is on and where to watch the action?

There is a great mix of football and hurling action on this weekend with both Championships reaching the quarter-final stage. On Saturday, Kerry face Cavan while Dublin take on Cork at Croke Park. Prior to that, the Dublin hurlers will take on Limerick, while Galway take on Tipperary at the Gaelic Grounds. Advertisement Sunday continues the football action with Down taking on Galway and Donegal facing Louth in Ballybofey. The Tailteann Cup is also on the docket as Wicklow take on Limerick and Kildare face Fermanagh. Wondering when all the games are on and where to watch them? Here is everything you need to know: Saturday, June 21st GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship, Kerry vs Cavan, Fitzgerald Stadium, 3:30pm on GAA+. Team news Elsewhere, Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Diarmuid O'Connor and Seán O'Shea return to the Kerry team for Saturday's All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-final against Cavan in Killarney. Advertisement In all, Jack O'Connor makes five personnel changes from the team that started last Saturday's final round game defeat to Meath. Conor Geaney also included along with Seán O'Brien. Tadhg Morley, Mark O'Shea, Micheál Burns and Killian Spillane move to the bench but Tony Brosnan is absent from the squad. Diarmuid O'Connor has missed the last two games having returned from a shoulder injury to face Roscommon in Fitzgerald Stadium. He had been unavailable for two months before that comeback following a stunning run of form in the league. Paudie Clifford served a one-match suspension in the Munster final but did not feature until the second round All-Ireland SFC win over Cork when he was replaced prior to half-time with a muscle strain. KERRY (SFC v Cavan) : S. Ryan; P. Murphy, J. Foley, T. O'Sullivan; B. Ó Beaglaoich, M. Breen, G. White (c); J. O'Connor, S. O'Brien; D. O'Connor, S. O'Shea, G. O'Sullivan; D. Clifford, C. Geaney, D. Geaney. Subs : S. Murphy, D. Casey, K. Spillane, T. Morley, A. Heinrich, M. Burns, E. Looney, T.L. O'Sullivan, M. O'Shea, P. Clifford, D. Moynihan. GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship, Dublin vs Cork, Croke Park, 6:15pm on GAA+. Team news Captain Brian Hurley is set to lead Cork on the field for the third consecutive game as John Cleary has named the same team that began last weekend's win over Roscommon for tomorrow's All-Ireland preliminary football quarter-final against Dublin. Advertisement Paul Walsh went off injured with a muscle issue after scoring a point in Portlaoise, but he is included to begin the knock-out game in Croke Park. Cork have been known to make 11th-hour changes to teams, but the team announced for that final round group win over Roscommon commenced that match. From last year's preliminary quarter-final defeat to Louth, there are six changes to the starting side. Rory Maguire and Ruairí Deane, who began that loss in Inniskeen, are on the bench. Meanwhile, Dublin have also named an identical team to the one that started their previous game against Derry last weekend. Advertisement CORK (SFC v Dublin): M.A. Martin; S. Meehan, D. O'Mahony, M. Shanley; B. O'Driscoll, S. Brady, M. Taylor; I. Maguire, C. O'Callaghan; P. Walsh, S. Walsh, S. McDonnell; M. Cronin, B. Hurley (c), C. Jones. DUBLIN (SFC v Cork): S. Cluxton; T. Clancy, S. MacMahon, D. Byrne; B. Howard, J. Small, L. Gannon; P. Ó Cofaigh-Byrne, C. Kilkenny; K. McGinnis, S. Bugler, N. Scully; P. Small, C. O'Callaghan (c), C. Costello. Dessie Farrell has named his Dublin Senior Football panel for Saturday's All-Ireland Preliminary Quarter Final against Cork at Croke Park 👕 #UpTheDubs — Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) June 19, 2025 GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship, Dublin vs Limerick, Croke Park, 4pm on RTÉ Two. GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship, Galway vs Tipperary, Gaelic Grounds, 6:15pm on RTÉ Two. Team news In the hurling championship, Peter McGarry is a surprise inclusion in the Tipperary team to play Galway in Saturday's All-Ireland hurling quarter-final. He made his first senior hurling championship appearance as a substitute against Laois last weekend. Jake Morris returns to the Tipp attack at wing forward, with Andrew Ormond remaining at 11. Eoghan Connolly also returns after missing the Laois game, with Seamus Kennedy, Joe Caesar and Alan Tynan dropping to the bench. Meanwhile, Shane O'Brien is the only player missing from Limerick's Munster SHC final squad as John Kiely has named the same team that began that agonising defeat to Cork for Saturday's All-Ireland quarter-final against Dublin. TIPPERARY (SHC v Galway): R. Shelly; R. Doyle, E. Connolly, M. Breen; C. Morgan, R. Maher (c), B. O'Mara; W. Connors, P. McGarry; J. Morris, A. Ormond, S. O'Farrell; D. McCarthy, J. McGrath, J. Forde. GALWAY (SHC v Tipperary) :D. Fahy; P. Mannion, D. Burke, D. Morrissey; C. Fahy, G. Lee, TJ Brennan; S. Linnane, D. Burke; J. Fleming, C. Mannion, T. Monaghan; C. Whelan (c), B. Concannon, K. Cooney. LIMERICK (SHC v Dublin) : N. Quaid; S. Finn, D. Morrissey, M. Casey; D. Byrnes, K. Hayes, B. Nash; A. English, W. O'Donoghue; G. Hegarty, C. Lynch (c), T. Morrissey; A. Gillane, A. O'Connor, D. Reidy. DUBLIN (SHC v Limerick) : S. Brennan; J. Bellew, P. Smyth, C. McHugh; P. Doyle, C. Crummey (c), A. Dunphy; C. Burke, B. Hayes; R. McBride, F. Whitely, C. O'Sullivan; S. Currie, R. Hayes, D. Ó Dúlaing. Advertisement Sunday, June 22nd GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship, Down vs Galway Páirc Elser, 1:45pm on GAA+. Team news Galway's announced team to face Down in Sunday's All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-final in Newry features Cian Hernon and Paul Conroy in place of Jack Glynn and Peter Cooke. Damien Comer is included among the substitutes. GALWAY (SFC v Down) : C. Flaherty; J. McGrath, S. Fitzgerald, L. Silke; D. McHugh, S. Kelly (c), C. Hernon; P. Conroy, J. Maher; C. Darcy, M. Tierney, C. McDaid; R. Finnerty, S. Walsh, M. Thompson. GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship, Donegal vs Louth, Ballybofey 4pm on GAA+ GAA Football All-Ireland Minor Championship, Tyrone vs Roscommon, Kingspan Breffini, 1:30pm. GAA Football All-Ireland Minor Championship, Kerry vs Mayo, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, Ennis. 3:30pm. Tailteann Cup, Wicklow vs Limerick, Croke Park, 2pm on RTÉ Two. Tailteann Cup, Kildare vs Fermanagh, Croke Park, 4pm on RTÉ Two.

BBC News

26 minutes ago

• BBC News

PFA Player's Player of the Year: Nominees announced

Who do you think has been the top men's and women's footballer this season?The Professional Footballers Association (PFA) have announced their shortlists for this season's top award - Player's Player of the footballers from the Premier League, and six from the Women's Super League have been nominated. Last year, Manchester City players scooped both titles, with Phil Foden and Khadija Shaw recognised for their 2025 winners will be revealed at a ceremony in Manchester next reading to find out who's made the list this year and let us know who you think should win in the comments below. Who's made the men's shortlist? The PFA winners are voted for by other players, meaning it gives footballers the chance to be recognised for their achievements by different the men's category, Premier League champions Liverpool have two of their squad among the nominees, with midfielder Alexis Mac Allister joining the club's superstar striker Mo Salah on the Allister played in 35 of 38 Premier League games for Liverpool this year and was named the division's Player of the Month for also had an amazing season, finishing as the league's top striker, scoring 29 times and provided 18 assists. He is aiming to win the award for a record-breaking third time. Newcastle have had one of their most successful campaigns in history, winning their first domestic trophy in seventy years and qualifying for next season's Champions League. Forward Alexander Isak has been a hugely important member of their squad and has made the list, after helping the Magpies with 27 goals in 42 appearances last United had a disappointing season, finished 15th in the Premier League, but their captain Bruno Fernandes has been nominated after scoring eight goals and providing 10 assists this of England's current squad have also been shortlisted.23-year-old Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice complete this year's list of nominees. Who's made the women's shortlist? WSL champions Chelsea are represented by Scottish midfielder Erin Cuthbert, who scored four times this season as the Blues won the title for the sixth year in a who finished as runners-up to Chelsea, have two players Alessia Russo was the joint-top scorer in the WSL with 12 goals this will be hoping to do the same at this summer's Euros, as England look to defend their European title which they won in midfielder Mariona Caldentey has also made the list. The Spain international scored nine goals and registered five assists last season. Manchester City have two players nominated - Yui Hasegawa and Mary Fowler, who has also been shortlisted in the PFA Young Player of the Year picks up a nomination after scoring six goals and providing seven assists in 17 WSL matches this season, before being injured in Manchester United and United States goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce completes this year's list, after keeping 13 clean sheets, a joint record for this season.