It’s been a long 20 months for Brian Lenihan.
The Irish full back signed with Hull City in August, 2014 but had yet to make his debut for the Tigers.
That was until Saturday afternoon when the 21-year-old was finally given the chance by Hull boss Steve Bruce for his side’s tie at rock-bottom Bolton Wanderers.
https://twitter.com/DavidMeyler7/status/726365847053295616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Best wishes to @brian_lenihan12 as he lines up with @HullCity today, from schboy stayed senior with club, #loyalpath
— College Corinthians (@collegecors) April 30, 2016
Bruce rested first-choice full backs Moses Odubajo and Andy Robertson for Saturday’s lunchtime game and former Cork City right back Lenihan profited from their absence as he started on the right side of the Hull defence.
“We’ve got a few options but Brian has trained with us all week and he’s done well,” Bruce told the Hull Daily Mail ahead of the match.
“It’s not been an easy 18 months for him with injuries but he’s come back and played eight or nine games for the under-21s. He’s big, quick and aggressive, a typical Irish lad, as tough as they come. He’s going to be a very good young player, who’s got a bright future in the game.”
Lenihan had drawn comparisons with Seamus Coleman prior to his €250,000 move to England but his career progress has been limited to appearances for Hull’s Under-21 side following a serious knee injury last season but hopefully Lenihan, who has been called up to train with the senior Ireland team in the past but has yet to play, can kick on now that he’s returned to full fitness and has been given his opportunity to impress for the Tigers.
