Drogheda United hail Killian Phillips as an 'inspiration' after Ireland call-up
Kevin Doherty has hailed Killian Phillips as an inspiration for kids everywhere after he was called up to the Ireland squad.The former Drogheda United midfielder was this week named in Heimir Hallgrimsson's 25-man squad for the June friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg. With most of the Championship players omitted - as they will be a month out of season - the Ireland boss has experimented with some of his selections.Crystal Palace man Phillips has excelled on loan at St Mirren this season, with Hallgrimsson travelling to Scotland on a number of occasions to watch him in action. And Phillips, 23, is joined in the Irish squad by Shamrock Rovers defender Josh Honohan and Spanish-born midfielder John Joe Patrick Finn, of French side Reims.Goalkeeper Josh Keeley - the younger brother of Drogheda United ace Conor Keeley - is also called up for the first time after impressing on loan at Leyton Orient from Spurs.
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Drogs boss Doherty was the club's assistant manager when ex-Kilbarrack United ace Phillips made his breakthrough in 2021 under former boss Tim Clancy.Doherty told Mirror Sport: 'Wayne Groves brought him into our Under-19s but in fairness to Tim, he quickly identified that he should be with us. There are plenty of other clubs he could have been at where he wouldn't have got those opportunities, so it took a brave manager to do that with a young kid.
'But Killian hit the ground running with us. I remember him playing against Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght and he was unbelievable. Without going over the top, he had all the tools - physically and mentally capable. He still had a lot to learn going into a first-team, but he showed a willingness to do that.'Drogheda United were training on Wednesday morning when news of Phillips' inclusion in the Ireland squad filtered through. And Doherty said: 'I'm absolutely thrilled for him. First and foremost, he's a brilliant fella who deserves nothing but the best.'We just loved him, absolutely loved him. He's the most enthusiastic, positive kid you will ever meet and I couldn't be happier for him. You only have to look at him playing, or talk to him off the pitch, to see what this will mean to him and his family.'He's embraced the loan moves at Shrewsbury, Wycombe, Aberdeen and St Mirren and I guarantee you the supporters of those clubs will say how much he puts into it.
'When we won the FAI Cup semi-final last year, he was there and there's a picture of him on the pitch after the game. He came back for it and when he's in, he's all in. He's an example to any young kid who goes out on loan - he gives 100% and it shows in the performances on the pitch and has been rewarded with the call-ups.'Tonight, third-placed Drogheda host second-placed Derry City with Doherty looking to put their 3-0 defeat away to Shamrock Rovers behind them. Results last week conspired to knock Drogheda off top spot but although frustrated with aspects of that game, Doherty is keen to park it.'I was very disappointed with the goals but it's one game out of 15 that I've been really unhappy about,' he added. 'It's highly unlikely that you will play well in every game, all season long. No team does that, but it doesn't mean you accept it.'The easiest thing in the world leaving Tallaght would be to say 'ah, Shamrock Rovers can do that to anyone'. No, we were disappointed but you move on.'
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