Ukraine national team keeping country's plight in focus - Stephen Kenny

Stephen Kenny believes that every game that Ukraine play is keeping their country's plight at the forefront of the world news headlines.

Defending a Russian invasion since February, the war-torn country and their team have more important things on their minds that an away Nations League game in Dublin, and while they enjoyed a brief respite beating Scotland last week, Wales ended their World Cup hopes with victory in Cardiff on Sunday.

Yet the international football calendar continues to churn and while the team would probably prefer to take time to spend their summer break with loved ones, wherever they may now reside, they will also feel that they are doing their bit for the nation by continuing to fly the flag in times of trouble.

"It is a very unusual game," said Kenny, speaking at the pre-match press conference.

"The Ukrainian players, and the coaches, and all the staff, have been great ambassadors for their country amidst the chaos of their lives and their compatriots really, and the thousands who have lost their lives.

"By continuing to play, they are keeping it at the forefront of whatever country they’re playing, within the media, within the European media because obviously there are features across Europe on the Ukrainian team and their contribution and how they played so forth in the games and it keeps the discussion very much in the news."

Ireland centre-half Shane Duffy was also in attendance at the press briefing, and the Brighton defender echoed his manager’s sentiments, paying respect to the Ukraine players for maintaining their professional attitude throughout the ongoing conflict.

"It’s really emotional for all of them and they should be really proud of how they handed themselves, especially in the last two