Defeated Ireland exit Athens with a 'mountain to climb'

In the Athens heat, Ireland were caught cold.

If this was a boxing match, there was a good chance that the contest would have been stopped early, as Greece tore into Ireland in the opening 15 minutes, eventually taking a deserved lead.

Fortuitous, as it happened, with the video assistant calling the referee over to view a handball that was initially missed by the official.

Nothing lucky about the finish, however, as the brilliant home team captain Tasos Bakasetas smashed the resulting spot-kick right down the middle of the goal.

Ireland tried to get going and they needed a jump-start following the pummelling they had just endured. It came courtesy of the home team who, for some reason, pulled up the handbrake, happy to sit in and defend.

It played right into Ireland's hands as they eventually got going and then worked a fine set-piece to grab the equaliser as Evan Ferguson’s header was helped home by Nathan Collins.

But it really was a case of papering over the cracks, as somehow Ireland were level going in at the break.

Adam Idah would have to make way for Mikey Johnston at half-time as Kenny looked to get into the game, admitting afterwards that Greece dominated the opening period, but then four minutes later, the manager would have to go right back to the bench and make some big decisions as the hosts took the lead once more.

James McClean for Callum O’Dowda, Jason Knight for Will Smallbone, experienced players asked to come on to haul Ireland back into the game.

In truth, it never looked likely, and it all got a bit desperate in the end as Troy Parrott and Michael Obafemi were also sent on in search of a goal, while Matt Doherty’s late red card summed up a frustrating night for the Ireland side.

No excuses from Kenny after the