Niko Kirwan (Calcio Potenza | Italy)

Oh yes - thanks for that! :)

Something is up I think, on the Reggiana website when he started figuring again for them a while ago there was mention of an injury but that wasn't very clear. This was also mentioned in a couple of match reports, but there was never anything on the front page suggestig he was injured, so it might be a recurring niggle?

We should also not discount the possibility that he's had covid-19 as pretty much all of his team and support staff have had it. He might not have recovered well and that might be hindering his ability to return to full fitness.

I think it is actually encouraging that, despite not playing much of late, he's likely going to be retained. This means his coach think he belongs in the team, which is great news since he's playing at the second highest level in Italy.

I wouldn't be too worried about the ladder (yet). Reggiana have had a bad run of games but I think they have it in them to potentially avoid relegation. They've been active in the January transfer market and if the new arrivals fire up they might well make it!

Nice yarn. Talented family. If he's going to keep sitting on the pine, those 3am alarm calls may cease.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/1241306...

Was sitting next to them at the OCL final a few years back when Niko was playing.

Really surreal to hear JK speak Italian flawlessly. Also, Niko's mum was a very vocal supporter. If I recall correctly, there was another Niko in the other team and she would often scream "no, not THAT Niko, our Niko"! :)

That's the awesome thing about NZ football. Sat at a wee-nix game in Hamilton and we got to chat to McGarry's nana. Good stuff 

15 odd mins off the bench in an important 2-1 win over fellow Serie B stragglers Virtus Entella (19th & 2nd last).

Same score when Kirwan came on.

Reggiana 17th (one spot above the drop zone).

Almost a full game (subbed off at 87 min with the score at 0-0) vs 4th placed Chievo Verona.

Heartbreak for Reggiana who concede in the 91st minute to lose the game.

They put in a solid performance and had good spells and several chances but were denied by the Chievo goalkeeper and defense.

Chievo are now up to 3rd while Reggiana drop to 18th. They are still only 4 points away from 12th place.

Unused sub as Reggiana (15th) get an important 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Ascoli (18th).

Ascoli down to ten men from 40 mins.

Watches from the bench as Reggiana demolish 5th placed Cittadella 3-0 and jump to 13th spot! 

For recent times gets a rare start (only 2 starts since December) as a left back against Salernitana (3rd). Replaced after 69 mins.

Finishes 0-0, and Reggiana go 13th for now (teams below all with a game in hand), 2 points above the relegation playoff spots.

Comes on in the 71st minute as Reggiana play Venezia. The score was 1-1. Sadly Venezia score 3 minutes later and go on to win 2-1.

Gets a 5.5 out of 10 for his latest appearance. Apparently at fault for Venezia's second goal where he didn't track his man, he was OK going forward and worked hard, and almost set up an equaliser but us team mate was denied.