CORK CITY MANAGER John Caulfield has hailed Brian Lenihan’s call up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad as “an unbelievable achievement”.
The 20-year-old defender has been called into the senior panel by Ireland boss Martin O’Neill for the upcoming UEFA Euro 2016 qualification games against Gibraltar and Germany just under two months after making the switch from Turner’s Cross to Hull City.
With Seamus Coleman injured, the Boys in Green are light on numbers in the right back area and Lenihan fits the bill.
Speaking to reporters ahead of his side’s SSE Airtricity Premier Division clash against UCD, Caulfield was delighted by the news and believes that it is a “massive honour” for both Lenihan and the Leeside club.
It’s fantastic for Brian. It’s an unbelievable achievement,” Caulfield said. “For Brian and the club it’s a massive honour. We’re all delighted for him.”
He added: “We’ve had a lot of players who have come through the club and gone on to huge achievements.
“The situation with Lenihan shows a local player coming through, getting his chance and getting a fantastic move to Hull.”
The call up comes as a surprise considering that before his move cross-channel, Lenihan had not even featured extensively for the Ireland under-age teams.
“You need to get that move before you get recognised in the international squad,” said Caulfied.
“Somebody said to me ‘has he improved that much in six weeks?’ and we all know he hasn’t but his status has and it’s really about image and status.
“That’s just the way it is.”
Meanwhile, Caufield confirmed that Gearoid Morrissey remains severely doubtful for the game against UCD. The midfielder missed Cork’s 2-1 win over Drogheda United last Friday with a medial ligament injury and is unlikely to play a part against The Students, while Darren Dennehy is also a concern.
Republic of Ireland international Colin Healy returns from suspension.
