• [Irish Mirror Icon]
• Sport
• Soccer
• FAI Cup

Stephen Kenny says FAI Cup teenage hero Rooney is more like Robbie Fowler, issues Kian Leavy injury update

St Patricks Athletic saw off holders Shamrock Rovers in extra-time thanks to the 17-year-olds extra-time winner.

[95521_3025004.jpg]

View Image

St. Patrick's Athletic's Sam Rooney celebrates after the FAI Cup win against Shamrock Rovers(Image: INPHO/Ben Brady)

Stephen Kenny reckons FAI Cup hero Rooney is more like a Fowler.

Sam Rooney scored the extra-time winner in yesterdays third round clash with Shamrock Rovers to fire St Patricks Athletic into the quarter-finals.

The 17-year-old produced a cool finish to register his first goal in senior football.

And afterwards, Kenny hailed his young striker, referencing two Scouse legends - Evertons Wayne Rooney and Liverpools Robbie Fowler.

Even though he has Rooney on his back we think hes a bit more like Robbie Fowler - hes a little left-footer who hatches and scores goals, said the Pats boss.

Hes definitely a goalscorer. Thats his first goal for us but he is definitely someone who just finishes and finishes, who gets those types of goals.

Hes small, hes learning about getting stronger. But he did it for us tonight. He is a very natural finisher. He is a streetwise young lad, enthusiastic and outgoing. He loves the game.

Also involved in the winning goal was another 17-year-old, Ryan Sheridan.

Kenny said: Ryan is a unique player. He has great poise, its great to see.

Hes a quiet individual. He is learning about life. He doesnt like applauding the crowd or anything, hes a shy individual. We have to force him to do that, just to get him out of his shell.

But his play is hell definitely go to Qatar with the 17s and he will be very influential in the World Cup.

There was some bad news for Kenny, however, with attacking midfielder Kian Leavy suffering a suspected hamstring tear.

Its not a great day for us because we lose Kian Leavy, he said.

We had a substitution ready to go on, he cramped up, but he took off on a sprint and he seemed to tear his hamstring.

We dont know how bad it is, but hes never had a muscle injury.

While Pats have progressed to the quarter-finals - and eliminated the holders and favourites in the process - no one inside the Saints dressing room is getting carried away.

Im in the game a long time, insisted Kenny. You win this, you are in the quarters. Im not going to celebrate being in the quarters. No one remembers that.

But psychologically for the players, because weve been beaten a couple of times by Rovers, to win that game after being two-down is big for the players.

But three points against Drogheda this week is arguably bigger for us. We have got to get ourselves ready and try to win that game.

Kenny admitted that he feared his sides luck was out as they went into injury-time still chasing an equaliser.

It was great to come back. We kept going and going, he said.

The Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper (Ed McGinty) made a lot of great saves, the save from Sean Hoare was an unbelievable save.

Then the Chris Forrester one, how did that not go in? I had to look at it again to make sure it didnt go in. Then the (Aidan Keena) penalty just went in.

Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the top stories and biggest headlines from Ireland and beyond.

[Irish Mirror Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Irish Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.