'Stuck to his guns' - Browne lauds Ireland manager Stephen Kenny

Alan Browne has lauded Ireland manager Stephen Kenny for sticking to his guns, and the Preston North End midfielder believes that he has been rightly rewarded with a new contract.

Kenny was finally handed the reins of the national side all the way to Euro 2024, despite a torrid opening 12 months in the job, after the Ireland manager turned things around in the second half of 2021, with a string of fine results to close out the calendar.

Ireland went six unbeaten since that dramatic night in Portugal when Cristiano Ronaldo broke Irish hearts, and while the most unfortunate Kenny had every right to be cursing his luck on that particular night on the Algarve, in essence, the game has proved a real turning point in his tenure.

The crowds came back in their droves to support the Boys in Green as Ireland matched both Serbia and Portugal at Lansdowne Road, while enjoying comprehensive victories over Luxembourg, Azerbaijan and Qatar, scoring ten goals in those three victories.

And now Kenny has a clear run at qualifying for the European Championships in Germany in 2024, and Browne believes that it was all of his own making.

"I think credit to the manager, he stuck to his guns," said Browne, speaking to the media on Monday.

"He stuck to what he wanted us to do and it is a long process, he came under a lot of criticism at first but it is starting to look up now with performances and results, which is the most important thing. Long may that continue.

"It looks like we've turned a corner. Every credit to the manager, and getting the fans back onside with us, that connection there amongst ourselves and the fans has been evident with ticket sales going through the roof, you can see that.

"So hopefully they’re taking to the new brand of