'Nothing is impossible' - Stephen Kenny still upbeat about Euro 2024 qualification

Three games into the Euro 2024 campaign and Republic of Ireland finally get have points on the board, however, the real work begins now, ahead of the vital games against France and Netherlands in September.

Stephen Kenny's side are already behind the eight ball in this qualifying campaign as they lost their opening two games, most notably their away defeat on Friday in Athens, which could prove crucial when the final totals are tallied in November.

The lengthy build-up to that game in Greece highlighted some of the struggles within this Ireland squad, most notably the fact that many of the players are seriously lacking game-time at their clubs.

As a result, it has been difficult for the manager to establish a regular 11 and even when the continuity does exist, it usually comes with an asterisk or two in relation to players who have arrived into the squad lacking that vital competitive action.

Another changed team to start the third competitive game as the manager brought five players in for the 3-0 win over Gibraltar, with just one enforced replacement as a result of Matt Doherty’s red card in Athens.

Nothing better than a competitive game for a team to bounce back after a disappointing result and it was almost the perfect start for Kenny’s side at the Aviva as Jamie McGrath stung the hands of keeper Dayle Coleing, with just 26 seconds on the clock.

Ireland looked up for it and dominated the early possession, but then the lack of creativity and composure meant that the Gibraltar goal stood intact approaching half-time.

In the 41st minute, there was a brief insight into the type of football that could play a large part in the team’s future, all going well, as Jason Knight, Michael Obafemi and Evan Ferguson linked well to create