FAI Player Watch – Robbie Brady

Picture courtesy of FAI

21-year old Dubliner Robbie Brady has enjoyed a fine campaign to date playing for Championship high-fliers Hull City.

Brady, despite being on the books of Manchester United, remained under the radar of the Republic of Ireland setup last year as he featured for the United reserve side without making a senior appearance for the Red Devils.

Following a string of impressive showings for United during their summer pre-season tour of South Africa, Giovanni Trapattoni handed the winger his international debut in a friendly against Oman. Brady didn’t fail to impress; a goal and an assist capped a fine evening for the winger and since then he hasn’t looked back.

Hull City signed Brady in the winter transfer window for an undisclosed fee and Brady has gone on to make 22 appearances for the Tigers, scoring three goals in the process. With his new side now sitting in second place in the league and on course for automatic promotion, Brady’s move has been more than justified.

One of those goals proved to be a match-winner on Saturday, as Brady’s goal from a 66 minute free-kick earned the Tigers a 1-0 win over Middlesborough at the KC Stadium.

Moments later, Brady was once again the tormentor-in-chief as his in-swinging dead ball was headed to safety by Boro defender Ahmed Elmohamady.

The win leaves Hull five points behind leaders Cardiff City and with promotion still in their own hands.

Brady was selected for the recent World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Austria and is expected to feature in the upcoming qualifiers and friendlies over the summer. With Damien Duff having retired, Brady faces stiff competition with Aiden McGeady and James McClean for a starting berth at left midfield, but his technique and speed are undisputed assets to the Irish team.