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Revealed: Your Ireland Team of the Season

by Ronan Calvert

The votes for your Ireland Team of the Season have been counted.

Close to 2,000 Kenny’s Kids readers voted for their Ireland Team of the Season earlier this week and the result serves as a fresh reminder that an exciting future awaits the Boys in Green.

Six of the eleven players selected were under the age of 23, many of which are still eligible for Jim Craword’s Ireland under-21 team. 

Kenny’s Kids Ireland Team Of The Season.

GK) Gavin Bazunu 

Gavin Bazunu takes the goalkeeper spot after a top drawer campaign for Portsmouth in League One. The ten-cap Ireland international won the hearts of Pompey staff and supporters by keeping 14 clean-sheets in 46 games during his season-long loan. Mark Travers was a close second with 41% percent of the final vote. 

Whoscored average rating: 6.82

RB) Matt Doherty 

At right-back is Spurs man Matt Doherty who enjoyed an impressive revival under Antonio Conte in the second half of the season. Doherty helped himself to two goals and four assists by attacking further up the pitch and he will hope to pick up from where he left off once he recovers from the MCL injury he is currently nursing. 

Whoscored average rating: 6.96

CB) John Egan 

John Egan played every minute of Sheffield United’s Championship season as they reached the play-off semi-finals. The 29-year-old Corkman captained the side on numerous occasions, leading by example with his full-blooded defending and bravery in possession. He therefore beats the likes of Shane Duffy, Jimmy Dunne and Darragh Lenihan to a place in this team. 

Whoscored average rating: 6.91

CB) Nathan Collins 

Nathan Collins was nominated as Premier League Player of the Month for April for a reason. The 21-year-old Leixlip native made 20 appearances for Burnley in 2021/2022 and scored two league goals in their scrap for survival. Boasting physicality, technique and leadership, Collins is on the right road to become the full package for club and country. 

Whoscored average rating: 6.97

LB) Ryan Manning 

The versatile Ryan Manning played across the Swansea defence this season but left wing-back is where he is most comfortable. The Galwegian made a total of 42 league appearances and scored two outstanding goals as the Swans finished 15th in the table. Manning also set up four goals in what was one of his most productive seasons to date. 

Whoscored average rating: 6.67

RM) Chiedozie Ogbene 

Rotherham are on their way to the Championship and Ireland fan-favourite Chiedozie Ogbene can take plenty of credit. Playing as a right-wing-back, the 25-year-old was a constant threat down the touchline for the Millers as he scored three goals and assisted a further eight. He also scored in the EFL Trophy Final against Sutton United last month and will be fascinating to watch next season.

Whoscored average rating: 6.88

CM) Josh Cullen 

Over in Belgium, Ireland’s midfield maestro Josh Cullen continued to do his thing for Anderlecht in 2021/2022. Cullen started 34 league games for Vincent Kompany’s men during the regular season and scored his first goal for the club last month. With crisp passing and an innate ability to break up play, Cullen is every bit as cemented on the Anderlecht team-sheet as he is on Ireland’s. 

Whoscored average rating: 7.02

CM) Gavin Kilkenny 

He might have only made 18 appearances this season but Ireland under-21 midfielder Gavin Kilkenny has earned his place in the team by making every one of his opportunities count. The Bournemouth technician started the season excellently at the base of midfield but lost his place in the spring as manager Scott Parker welcomed players back from injury and signed more in the January transfer window. Next season will be big for the Dubliner. 

Whoscored average rating: 6.68 

LM) Festy Ebosele 

Beating James McClean to the second wing position is the Udinese-bound Festy Ebosele who showed flashes of brilliance in the Championship for Derby County. Ebosele primarily played right-back and right-midfield but also impressed on the left as Wayne Rooney’s Rams came up just short in their impressive efforts to avoid relegation. Ebosele’s February display against Hull was a particular highlight. 

Whoscored average rating: 6.64

ST) Troy Parrott 

2021/2022 might prove to be the most important season of Troy Parrot’s career. Early season signs hinted that Milton Keynes would be a more natural home than last season’s loans to Millwall and Ipswich and, despite enduring a mid-season slump, so it proved. Parrott’s best form came in the spring either side of his strike versus Lithuania for Ireland and he ended up finishing the season on ten goals and seven assists. Let’s hope there’s more to come. 

Whoscored average rating: 6.80

ST) Michael Obafemi 

Stephen Kenny is set to call up Michael Obafemi to his Uefa Nations League squad after the Swansea striker scored 12 goals in the last 16 games of the campaign. Ireland have been crying out for a natural goalscorer and might just have found one on this season’s evidence. “His all-round game has improved no end. He has done very well,” in the recent words of Kenny. 

Whoscored average rating: 6.63

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