Results didn't match Stephen Kenny's vision, now a long goodbye

On Sunday last, the pained expression on Stephen Kenny's face in his post-match interview with Tony O'Donoghue following the defeat to the Netherlands did not make for comfortable viewing.

It's part of the gig that you have to front up, no matter what the result. For the third game on the spin, Kenny had to rake over the coals of another loss, the 2-1 reverse against the Dutch putting an end to any chance of qualifying automatically for Euro 2024.

In his final speech to the Dáil as Taoiseach, Charlie Haughey quoted 'Othello', saying: "I have done the State some service; they know't. No more of that".

Of course, some of the late Mr Haughey's critics will scoff as to the service he did give the State.

If, as is now likely that Kenny's time in charge is nearing an end, there are many who will feel that his contribution as manager should be valued. They will quote Kenny's decency; that he's a good football man; that he did give youth a chance. The man that presented Chiedozie Ogbene to us before most had ever heard of him - a player along with Gavin Bazunu, Nathan Collins, Adam Idah, Jason Knight and Evan Ferguson - will form the nucleus of the side going forward.

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Stephen Kenny reflects on the defeat to the Netherlands

Kenny has been a manager for nearly half his life. It all started at Longford Town in 1998. Modest beginnings yes, but the midlanders would eventually go on to compete in the UEFA Cup. At Derry City, the scalp of IFK Göteborg was taken in the same