After another title won at a canter, a narrow exit in the Champions League to Bayern, and some great performances from players such as Daizen Maeda, perhaps one of the most exciting elements of the 2024-25 season was the emergence of Johnny Kenny towards its end. Following a successful spell back in his native Ireland with Shamrock Rovers, the young striker was welcomed into the first-team fold.
Johnny Kenny celebrates. Aberdeen 1-5 Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
The 22-year-old Sligo man may have netted only one goal in eight appearances following the end of his two-year spell in the Irish capital, but his performances in Tallaght mean it’s an interesting time for the youngster. He netted seven goals in nine Conference League appearances for the Irish Hoops, in addition to plundering 13 in the League of Ireland Premier Division.
Mg Como 24/07/2025 – amichevole / Ajax-Celtic / foto Matteo Gribaudi/Image nella foto: Johnny Kenny-Aaron Bouwman
Given that young Kenny has been on the books at Paradise since January 2022, when he joined from boyhood club Sligo Rovers, it had been starting to feel like the project wasn’t quite going to click. The fact that he scored no goals in 12 on loan with Queen’s Park in the Championship and six in 37 in his first year in Dublin wasn’t promising. However, it now feels as if the League of Ireland could be fertile ground after all.
€1 Million Teen English Premier League Move Proves Talent Development
When Celtic chiefs agreed for Kenny to join the Bhoys, it was reported that the base fee was €150,000. That was seen as a decent haul for the Bit O’ Red in a league where talent was often lost for free (or very little) and at a time when its talent development was considered poor, resulting in a weak domestic competition and national team.
Johnny Kenny celebrates. Aberdeen 1-5 Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
However, that appears to have changed. The very first deal worth more than €1 million for a League of Ireland player has been agreed, with Tottenham Hotspur signing a St Patrick’s Athletic prospect. Coincidentally, but perhaps not entirely unrelated, the Ireland national team is the second favourite to win its World Cup qualifying group in the online sports betting at 13/2, behind only Portugal.
Johnny Kenny has played a huge part in both developments. His performances in Europe helped establish that the League of Ireland is full of talent to get Shamrock Rovers to the latter stages of the Conference League. This is reminding everyone that the Emerald Isle is not a football wasteland and its youngsters are ready to make big steps up.
Plenty of Burgeoning Talent Ready to be Plucked From the LOI
We’ve seen quite a bit of movement happening between Scotland and Ireland in recent years. Celtic academy products like Jonathan Afolabi and Liam Burt moved to Bohemian Football Club, while their teammate Ross Tierney made the move from Dublin to Motherwell.
It hasn’t always proved a great success, given that the latter is back at Dalymount Park already, Afolabi has struggled in Belgium and the Netherlands, and Liam Burt was recently released by Shamrock Rovers following a loan at League of Ireland champions Shelbourne. However, the players’ willingness to return and the ability for clubs to release high-profile names are indicative of a quality shift.
Launch of the Inaugural Cork Super Cup, SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork 3/3/2025 Cork City’s Cathal O’Sullivan 3/3/2025 INPHO/Morgan Treacy
As reported before the beginning of the 2025 season, this was the first year that every club in the Premier Division in Ireland was professional. Now, talents such as Owen Elding, Cathal O’Sullivan, and Rhys Brennan look like good options for ambitious clubs. Patience would be needed, but the ability is there, exactly as it has been with Kenny.
The Next Big Irish Talent Could Be Ready to Make the Jump
Let’s not forget that Celtic target Evan Ferguson made his debut with Bohemians when he was just 15. That was pre-Brexit, which meant that he could move to Brighton at just 16. He’s now 20, and many will feel his career has stalled somewhat. However, he’s still so young that it’s unlikely to be the last chapter in his story.
Evan Ferguson of Republic of Ireland during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League match between England and Republic of Ireland at Wembley on November 17, 2024 (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
If nothing else, the abundance of young Irish talent shows that the League of Ireland really has become a breeding ground for technically gifted players. With the lack of huge fees, it’s also much easier to be patient with their development, as proven by Johnny Kenny. Maybe Celtic should be keeping a keen eye across the water.
