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'This time last year I didn't start with Cork!' - Brian Lenihan on his dream Ireland call-up

Highly-rated U21 defender trained with the senior squad for the first time today.

A STUNNED BRIAN Lenihan has described his senior Ireland call-up as “unbelievable.”

The Cork youngster arrived in Malahide last night and trained today as preparations continue for the games against Gibraltar and Germany.

“It has been crazy to be honest,” Lenihan told FAI TV.

“This time last year I didn’t start with Cork City!”

Glowingly dubbed ‘the new Seamus Coleman’ by fans, the promising 20-year-old was courted by several English clubs before he sealed a £200,000 move from Cork City to Hull this summer.

He has only played one reserve game since, but with Coleman out through injury, Martin O’Neill wanted another option on the right side of defence.

Lenihan can call on the familiar faces of Hull team-mates Robbie Brady, David Meyler and Stephen Quinn as he settles in this week.

And whether he makes his senior debut or not, he’s determined to get the most out of the experience.

“I’ve played with the U15s, U19s, U21s so I’m kind of used to an international setup,”

“Obviously this will be completely different and a new challenge so I’m really looking forward to it.

“I just want to do as well as I can myself and anything else is a bonus.”


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4 Comments
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    Mute Brian Donovan
    Favourite Brian Donovan
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    Oct 8th 2014, 4:24 PM

    Well deserved as he is an excellent player, but it’s a shame that when he was performing consistently well for cork city he wasn’t selected.
    One reserve game for a premier league team where it’s been let known he is a development player and he’s in the international squad.

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    Mute Sean MacC
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    Oct 8th 2014, 5:37 PM

    If anything his move to a premiership club and rapid rise to the international squad should be used productively by Cork City to convince parents that their sons don’t have to leave school, home, friends and country to develop to the highest level.

    Also great marketing that Lenihan, Meyler, Long, Doyle and Delaney all passed through the club and that football fans should get down the box to witness upcoming local lads aswell as the class of Colin Healy etc.

    Finally, I hope that there were financial add-ons in the deal with Hull for international call ups etc.

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    Mute Stephen O Flynn
    Favourite Stephen O Flynn
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    Oct 8th 2014, 5:12 PM

    Delaney sucks full stop. I hate his bullsh#t

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    Mute Kieran Daly
    Favourite Kieran Daly
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    Oct 8th 2014, 6:07 PM

    Ireland have a history of bringing an LOI player to International home games down through the years. They are fierce handy for picking up the jerseys and filling water bottles. On no account are they allowed play but hey can keep the jersey, knicks and socks.

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