IT’S SLO MOTION FOR KENNY
Stephen has finally got movement on fixtures ahead of Euros playoff
STEPHEN KENNY is relieved to have a competitive lead up to the Euro 2020 playoff with Slovakia.
UEFA yesterday confirmed that the semi-final clash – postponed twice already – will go ahead in Bratislava on Thursday, October 8.
Kenny’s senior debut will still be away to Bulgaria in the Nations League on September 3 before hosting Finland in Dublin three days later.
The big Slovakia clash will be the first game of a tripleheader in October with Nations League games at home to Wales and away to Finland to follow.
UEFA must rearrange the dates of those two matches but they are likely to be pushed back 24 hours, to October 11 and 14 respectively.
The Euro 2020 playoff final against Northern Ireland or Bosnia will be on November 12 and that will also be the first of a potential triple-header.
Again, the exact dates of the Nations League games in November away to Cardiff and home to Bulgaria will have to be tinkered with by UEFA.
“It’s good to have clarity in relation to the forthcoming games,” said Kenny.
“The Nations League games are very important games in terms of World
Cup rankings and potential play-offs and as preparation for Slovakia.
“I’m pleased that we’ll get two competitive games in September to help us in our preparations before the playoff.
“It’s unique to have three internationals in one window – and two of them away – but our main focus in October will be on that Slovakia game.
“As a coaching staff, we’ve already been planning for all the games. Now that we have definite dates, we can plan with more detail.”
But the Ireland Under-21s face a fresh challenge of sorts after a significant change to next summer’s finals.
Kenny’s successor Jim Crawford discovered that the tournament will take place in two parts.
Before now, the group winners and best runner-up went to the finals in Slovenia and Hungary, with the other second-placed teams contesting the playoffs.
But they have been scrapped and the nine group winners and five best runners-up will contest the group stage of the tournament from March 24-31, 2021.
The top two in each group will then proceed to the knockout stages which will be played between May 31June 6.
Ireland are top of their qualifying group with three games to go and Crawford (inset) said: “It doesn’t change the focus for us.
“We’ll be very clear with the players going into each match that maximum points is the goal.”