Soccer

Adam Idah could be the man to finally deliver goals for Republic of Ireland

Norwich City's Adam Idah coud feature for Ireland against Bulgaria on Thursday night
Norwich City's Adam Idah coud feature for Ireland against Bulgaria on Thursday night Norwich City's Adam Idah coud feature for Ireland against Bulgaria on Thursday night

THE Republic of Ireland’s perennial struggles in front of goal have been bordering on the infamous in recent campaigns – averaging less than one goal per game in the Euro Qualifiers – but Stephen Kenny’s new broom is hoping to change the team’s paltry return.

Given his few star turns at relegated Norwich City last season and his power-packed performances at U21 level, it was no surprise teenage striker Adam Idah was promoted to the senior international team, and is almost certain to play some part against Nations League opponents Bulgaria in Sofia on Thursday night.

Still only 19, Idah has the skills set to write a different chapter to Ireland’s goal-scoring woes.

While he was finding the net regularly for Stephen Kenny’s U21s (five goals in 12 appearances), the senior team were managing just seven goals in eight Euro qualifiers.

Last week, Kenny gave Idah a considerable drum-roll after naming him in his debut squad for the Bulgaria and Finland games alongside fellow strikers Shane Long, Callum Robinson, and Aaron Connolly, while Sean Maguire earned a late call-up following the injury withdrawal of Troy Parrott.

“Adam has all the characteristics of a number nine, although not a number nine that we have seen with Ireland that I can remember,” noted the new senior international manager.

“We've always had players with physical presence but were not quick or maybe the other way. But Adam is genuinely quick, but also has a physical presence, more of a natural French-type of striker in that he's got a tall physique and is quick as well.

“So he has that sort of thing about him and has all the attributes. But he's still learning and he has a 2001 birthday so he's still U19. There are still areas of improvement that he needs. Because of his size he could always score goals but when you go up to the senior game, your movement has to be even better in the box. He still has to learn about that.”

Born to a Nigerian father and Irish mother in Cork, Idah excelled at most sports including Gaelic football, hurling and athletics – but was always destined to pursue a career in soccer.

Speaking via a Zoom call with reporters following his first senior training session in Abbotstown yesterday, Idah said: “Since the age of four or five, I've always wanted to play football and since I was about 12, that's when I started to take it seriously and when I quit all the other sports. I have always wanted to be a footballer and live the dream.”

Idah starred for Corinthian College in Douglas, Co Cork for the best part of 10 years before his underage performances at international level (from U15 upwards) caught the attention of Norwich City in 2017.

Game-time, though, was his biggest enemy with Norwich, but he did leave his mark by scoring a hat-trick in an FA Cup tie against Preston NE.

“When you get those opportunities you just have to take them,” he said. “I think every footballer knows that once you take the opportunity, everything can change so quickly. That is what happened with me but I will keep working hard, keep focused and keep the head down.”

Norwich City supporters have high hopes for the 6ft 3in striker making a big impact in next season’s Championship with his brilliant finish in a pre-season friendly against German outfit SC Verl last week perhaps a sign of things to come.

Idah's movement and volleyed finish from inside the penalty area illustrated the striker's impressive development.

Regarded as a scorer of great goals at underage level, Idah says he is working hard on trying to improve his movement in the penalty area.

"Since I've moved up into the first team that was one of the things that I was told to be more aware of [better movement],” he said. “I've been working on that quite a bit.

"And every time with the U21s, it's something as an attacking unit that we have worked on and tried to get better and better. So there is still progress to be made but I'm getting there."

The fact that Kenny has taken the reins at senior level should see Idah’s international career continue on an upward trend.

“Obviously Stephen with the U21s just gave us that confidence to be ourselves and gave us that bit of freedom to play,” he said.

“He's a great manager, he does a lot of one-on-ones with everyone in their positions and in their units. Everyone focuses on training and everyone respects him, he is a great manager. I cannot wait to get working with him."

Growing up, one of his sporting idols was Ireland’s record goal-scorer Robbie Keane.

Ireland have tried numerous strikers with limited success since the Dubliner’s international retirement in 2016.

Adam Idah has all the attributes to make a decent fist of becoming Ireland’s number one striker over the next couple of seasons.