Shamrock Rovers fans call out ‘bizarre mistake’ in Larne’s pre-match programme

Some keen readers spotted a case of mistaken identity in the complimentary magazine at Windsor Park.

Stephen Bradley's men were on another level to the NIFL side as they claimed their first win of their Conference League campaign in Belfast.

The Hoops led by three going into the break, and despite Larne pulling one back, cemented their victory with a Graham Burke strike just five minutes later.

The man who bagged Rovers second goal, Johnny Kenny, was all smiles after heading in from Burke's cross. The Sligo native is on loan from Celtic for the second season running.

His smile quickly turned to shock after the game, however, as an Off The Ball reporter pointed out that Larne had nominated him a new Dad in their match programme.

Under the heading, ‘Three Players to Watch’, Kenny’s bio read: "The son of former Ireland and current St Patrick’s Athletic manager Stephen Kenny is in his second consecutive season on loan at Tallaght from Celtic."

X user Alan Kinsella was the one to point out the error to the masses on social media.

Larne think Stephen Kenny is the father of Johnny Kenny!!! pic.twitter.com/ar2HtAsJPR

— Alan Kinsella (@electionlit) October 24, 2024

While Stephen Kenny does have a son playing as a forward for a League of Ireland club it’s not Rovers and Ireland Under-21 hitman Johnny.

St Patrick's Athletic boss Kenny's 18-year-old son Eoin is a striker for Dundalk, not Shamrock Rovers.

Luckily, Johnny Kenny saw the funny side of the gaffe. "No, no, (it’s) obviously a mistake. My dad was here tonight and I hope they are pretty proud back at home," he told Off The Ball.

His dad Johnny senior a legendary figure in his own right at Sligo Rovers, where he played and scored regularly for the Bit O’ Red in the 1990s.

"It runs in the family," said the younger Kenny.