Frustrating right to the end...

Ireland show heart again but Kenny era just has not clicked

THE Dutch have detonated many an Irish dream in the past 35 years as the late Jack Charlton, the greatest of all Republic of Ireland managers, would have readily acknowledged. At Euro ’88 in Gelsenkirchen, they crushed Ireland’s first great adventure on the international stage; in USA ’94, they stood firm in the Orlando oven; at Anfield a year later, they ended it for Big Jack.

Last night in Amsterdam, they yanked the chain and sent Stephen Kenny crashing through the trapdoor.

When emotion is removed from Kenny era, it will not be judged favourably

If Charlton, who oversaw the team that rose to sixth in the world, and qualified for three major finals in four attempts, was the undisputed No 1 Irish manager, where will be Kenny figure in the role of honour?

Firmly among the back-markers, which was not where he could have ever imagined when appointed in April 2020, surfing a wave of goodwill, like no other before him.

When the emotion is taken out of the Kenny reign – one of our own, who bravely sought to change the style and mentality of the Irish senior team – he will not be judged favourably.

He tried too much far too soon, and went for revolution over evolution.

Along the way, he was given unlimited resources and support from the FAI, and generous pats on the back from a supportive media, many of whom were impervious to Ireland’s emerging difficulties.

There are none so blind as those who cannot see.

In each of Kenny’s four years, there were crucial moments of concern, which contributed to Ireland’s regression.

In November 2020, Ireland’s failure to beat a very ordinary Bulgaria team in Dublin in the Nations League cost them second seed status in the 2022 World Cup qualifying draw.

In March 2021, Ireland lost their opening home World Cup qualifier to Luxembourg and were out of the reckoning before things got started.

In June 2022, an opening 1-0 Nations League loss in Armenia scuppered the chances of promotion and also a shot at the Euro playoffs next March

A year later, it was Ireland bearing gifts to Greece in Athens when they played as if they’d been on holidays and were flattered to lose 2-1.

No worries, insisted the FAI along the way. Ignore the noise, was the repeated message from a pro-Kenny media.

But the warning signs were evident and those who could have done something about it, the FAI, were seemingly paralysed by fear.

Kenny could have been moved on last summer, or certainly in September when Ireland lost twice and the Euro 2024 show was over.

Instead, FAI hierarchy, including Jonathan Hill, the under-scrutiny CEO, chose to let the clock run down on Kenny’s contract.

Tuesday’s low-profile friendly against New Zealand will be Kenny’s farewell, and that of James McClean too.

Unlike McClean who got to play in two European Championships, Kenny missed out, and will leave with a jarring record.

This defeat was a 16th in 29 competitive games for Kenny. A 55pc loss rate is the opposite of what a successful return should be.

In each of the four campaigns, Ireland have been beaten out the gate, third of four (Nations League), third of five (World Cup), third of four (Nations League) and fourth of five (Euros).

There was also a Euro 2020 playoff semi-final loss to Slovakia on penalties, while Ireland’s world ranking has plummeted.

The way back will be painful but every long journey starts with one step and the new manager must rekindle self-belief that has clearly sapped.

There are decent tools available to sculpt into a competitive shape, kicking off with the Nations League next September.

Nathan Collins, Evan Ferguson, Chiedozie Ogbene and Gavin Bazunu, have splashed brightness on a grey Kenny canvass. The best years of Liam Scales are to come.

Old hands John Egan, Matt Doherty and Alan Browne have much to offer. Shane Duffy, dropped last night, is no back number

There is promise in Festy Ebosele and Andy Moran too, although why Kenny took the latter out of the