'Gets supporters on edge of their seats': Dundalk expert on why Portsmouth-bound Eoin Kenny will excite
The 20-year-old has five goals and five assists in 22 matches for Dundalk this season
Incoming Pompey winger Eoin Kenny possesses the prized potential to get supporters ‘on the edge of their seats’.
That’s the tantalising verdict of James Rogers, Dundalk reporter for the Dundalk Argus, who has regularly watched the highly-regarded 20-year-old in action.
The Northern Ireland Under-21 international is set to become the Blues’ latest transfer window acquisition as he finalises a Fratton Park switch in time to accompany John Mousinho’s men on their pre-season training camp.
Kenny has also been pursued by Luton and Lincoln this summer, yet will follow in the footsteps of Ronan Curtis in 2018 in leaving the League of Ireland for Pompey.
And, according to Rogers, the right winger is an ‘exciting’ talent who could make a favourable impact on the south coast.
‘He will get you on the edge of your seat’
The Dundalk-based journalist told The News: ‘Eoin isn’t 21 until the day before New Year’s Eve and is making rapid strides in his career. This is obviously his next step.
‘He's a player that - if and when he gets into the Pompey team - will excite the fans.
‘His ability to beat people and his ability to break lines is incredible. Football is nowadays very functional in general, but he’s one of those old-school players who will get you on the edge of your seat.
‘He has a great first touch, great close ball control, and that great ability to beat two or three players with a drop of the shoulder and wonderful close control.
‘Eoin also has decent pace, a big lad at about 6ft 1in, so he’s tall enough. You’d probably expect the physicality to go up a level in the Championship as opposed to the League of Ireland, but he’s used to taking a lot of kicks, so I don’t think that will faze him.
‘Dundalk play a 4-2-3-1 and he has been playing off the right. He has played at times in that 10 position and probably could play off the left, cutting in onto his right foot, being right-footed.
‘Funnily enough, two of his best goals this season have been with his left foot, so he does have the ability to score with both. He has excellent close control and has that ability to trap it in and slalom past players at times, which has been a huge asset for Dundalk this season.
‘Eoin’s a winger. Although he’s played up top on his own at times and would do a job there, he’s best on the right, it gives him a bit of freedom, and he’s an honest lad too. He will work back and put a shift in defensively.
‘In football, when teams set up with two banks of four and it’s hard to get past them, his ability to break lines and set up counter attacks is brilliant. He has that long stride, a burst of pace, so, if you’re playing on the counter, he is certainly going to be a real asset to you.
‘He’s definitely a player that, should he break into the team, can excite the fans - I’m looking forward to seeing how he progresses.’
Five goals and five assists for Dundalk this season
Kenny has bagged five goals and five assists in 22 league appearances for League of Ireland Premier Division side Dundalk this season.
After making his debut in March 2023, he had a loan spell at Wexford, before returning to establish himself in the first-team of the County Louth-based club.
The son of former Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny, he switched allegiances to Northern Ireland in August 2025 and has since been a regular with their Under-21s side.
Rogers added: ‘He knows where the goal is, he’s been in good form of late, with two in his last few matches. He scored a header against Waterford in what is now going to be his last game for the club.
‘If you’re looking for areas of improvement, you would like to see goals on a more consistent basis in terms of scoring week in, week out - or as close as possible to that.
‘However, he’s 20, and for Pompey to be getting a footballer of that age, but having played more than 100 senior matches at a decent-enough level, is very good.
‘Obviously it’s a step up, but everyone thinks he is capable of that because he’s been in the Northern Ireland under-21s recently, playing against Portugal and Germany, and done quite well there.
‘He has tested himself against very decent opposition. This is a step up, but one everyone here in Ireland certainly hopes he can make.’