In tune with pretty much everyone within Irish football, Pat Fenlon says he can’t wait to see the dynamic of Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane in action as he believes the appointment of the new Republic of Ireland managerial team has given the whole country a boost.
“It’s brilliant,” said the former Shelbourne and Bohemians manager who parted company with Hibernians a fortnight ago after two years in Scotland.
“It’s some acquisition to get both. If you got one of them you’d be delighted, but to get the two of them is brilliant.”
When it comes to seeing just how the relationship between the two will work, Fenlon, like the rest of the Irish football community, is eager to see how it pans out. “I’d love to have 10 minutes with them in the dressing room to see how it works. I don’t think it will be a problem – the two of them are professionals and are good people and they want to do well.”
Keane reiterated his positive interest in the League of Ireland in interviews on Wednesday which Fenlon acknowledged can only be good for the domestic game.
“Roy’s a football man. He’s an Irish football man which is even better. He knows what he’s talking about. He’s played in the league, he’s come back and forth and picked up players from the league over the years as well.”
Owen Heary suggested yesterday that Fenlon could act as a go-between with O’Neill and Keane on the League of Ireland. “I’m not getting into that, I’m just delighted that they are involved,” said Fenlon.
