Life has been really tough for some people but now we can look forward again

NEW BOSS KENNY SETS SIGHTS ON FIRST GAME

STEPHEN KENNY is certain Ireland will cope with whatever hand they are dealt come September.

As it stands, games are behindclosed-doors but the FAI hope to have some fans at the Nations League clash with Finland on September 6.

That match comes three days after Kenny’s senior debut in Bulgaria, where local supporters can already attend domestic league games once it is capped at 30 per cent of capacity.

It has been reported that up to 18,500 Ireland fans may be able to attend Aviva Stadium for the Finland game if Covid restrictions continue to ease.

But that figure depends on social distancing being relaxed from two metres to one, otherwise a limit of 8,200 would apply.

Ireland boss Kenny yesterday said: “Our fans travel far and wide to see the national team and that’s difficult now with games behindclosed-doors. There has been speculation about supporters in September but we just don’t know.

“Life has been tough for a lot of people and it’s been a very tough period. If you have to play behindclosed-doors, sometimes in life you have to adapt and we realise that.

“But it’s great to have football back – it’s the lifeblood of sport in

the country. With international football, people really look forward to the games and are excited by the players. But we can look forward to the games in September.”

Kenny has been productive in lockdown and said he, Keith Andrews, Damien Duff and Ruaidhri Higgings have poured over match footage.

He said: “We have analysed all eight games in the campaign so far and we’ve got a good look Bulgaria and all their games.

“We’ve also looked at all of Finland and Wales’s games and we’ve focused on Slovakia of course. We’ve maximised the opportunity to get as much information as we can.”

James Mccarthy is set for an Ireland recall in the autumn while Shane Long and Harry Arter both have Ireland futures despite peripheral roles under Mick Mccarthy.

And Kenny confirmed David Mcgoldrick – recently armed with a new Sheffield United contract – will be central to his plans.

“David’s international career has come late and he’s at the peak of his career. He’s the focal point in a team competing for a Champions League place,” Kenny told FAI TV.

“People say he’s not a prolific scorer but he got 15 goals getting Sheffield United promoted.

“He’s a creator of goals and we’ve good young strikers coming through and he can compliment them with his awareness, technical ability and vision.”

at