Kenny asking for high-octane performance against Greece

Stephen Kenny will ask his players to maintain the intensity of the home games against the Dutch and France ahead of Friday night's clash with Greece at the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign looks done and dusted; however, a slight possibility remains that Kenny’s side could sneak the second place in the group should certain results go in Ireland’s favour.

As unlikely as it is, it gives the manager reason to motivate the players to essentially play to the final whistle, beginning with a home clash against Greece on Friday night at Lansdowne Road.

Ireland find themselves in this particular predicament due to the fact that they were turned over in Athens in June, and while a win may still not be enough to keep Kenny’s side in the mix ahead of Monday’s match against Gibraltar, a decent performance and victory will go some way of atoning for one of the most disappointing nights of the manager’s tenure.

The Netherlands match provided a similar result to that of Athens, as Ronald Koeman’s side ran out eventual 2-1 winners, however, the two performances were chalk and cheese in comparison.

The first half of the match in Dublin last month will stand out as one of the best of Kenny’s three-year reign, and while the result was unfortunately consistent with the way the manager’s time in charge has proceeded, he gained a lot of appreciation for the manner in which they went toe-to-toe with the much-fancied Dutch.

Ireland raced out of the blocks in the game, pressing high up the pitch, offering the defence little or no time on the ball, while creating the chances to hold a commanding lead at half-time.

Kenny’s side did take the lead, when Adam Idah converted a fourth-minute penalty, however, some slack defending saw