Nations League Group B1: Republic of Ireland 3 Scotland 0
OVER an hour had passed since the final whistle sounded, where the Republic of Ireland players embarked on a happy end-of-season lap of honour at a rocking Aviva Stadium in Dublin, before Stephen Kenny arrived in the press room.
With 25 games under his belt as senior manager, the 50-year-old Dubliner has never quite convinced the room.
Even though he’d just celebrated arguably his finest hour as Ireland manager with a thumping 3-0 win over Scotland, thus ending the search for a first Nations League win, it seems there will always be a hostile element towards him among the media.
Beaten Scotland manager Steve Clarke hadn’t long left the room on the ground floor of the Aviva Stadium on Saturday night where he’d felt considerable heat from Scottish journalists following the loss.
Welcome to a senior international manager’s existence.
As for the Ireland manager’s turbulent reign, there are those who coldly stare at his results record and demand better; others consider the amount of youth fast-tracked into the senior squad over the past two seasons, and therefore continue to cut the former Dundalk manager some slack.
Showered and wearing a crisp white shirt and navy suit, Kenny’s mind had “already moved on” to the Ukraine game in Lodz, Poland on Tuesday night, roughly 500 miles from the Ukrainian border.
In a very subdued post-match press briefing, there were no impassioned statements from Kenny whose position as manager was being openly questioned in light of back-to-back defeats to Armenia and Ukraine.
However, he did refer to the radically different opinions swirling around him and the Ireland squad.
“After Belgium here, 2-2, people thought we were absolutely brilliant, then we win 1-0 the next game [against Lithuania] and then lose a game [against Armenia] and then it's a catastrophe.
“That is part of the business and I understand that but I am very clear in what we're doing and what we want to do. Very, very clear,” said Kenny in tones delivered barely above a whisper.
“I think we will definitely emerge to be a very exciting team.”
He added: “The Irish supporters really believe in this team and the potential that is there. They know we’re not perfect, we have a lot of imperfections… I asked the players what was the most significant victory they’ve had in the Aviva Stadium in a competitive game against a team ranked above ourselves. Obviously Bosnia in 2015 [Euro 2016 play-off second leg] was the last big one. It is the biggest result in seven years.”
Kenny made five changes to the side that went down 1-0 to Ukraine three days earlier, making room for an untested front pairing of Tory Parrott and Michael Obafemi.
The manager rightly swapped his under-performing wing-backs of Enda Stevens and Cyrus Christie for the fresher James McClean and Alan Browne against the Scots and provided more legs in central midfield in the shape of Jayson Molumby.
Each change was a resounding success – none more so than man-of-the-match Obafemi who scored a wonder goal in the second half, his side's third, and the Swansea City striker’s brilliant chipped pass allowed his strike partner Parrott to nod home and double Ireland’s lead in the 28th minute.
Seven minutes earlier, Alan Browne bundled home the opener that sent the 46,947 crowd – minus the Scottish contingent behind the goal – into raptures.
Before the deadlock was broken, Kenny’s men rode their luck. Two terrible re-start passes from Shane Duffy in the 13th and 27th minutes should have resulted in two goals for the Scots.
As it was, John McGinn’s tame effort was saved by Caoimhin Kelleher in Ireland’s goal, imperious throughout Saturday's game, and the Aston Villa midfielder failed to hit the target with the second gift-wrapped chance.
If Browne’s opening goal was wonderfully ugly, Ireland’s second and third strikes were things of beauty.
There was fantastic symmetry about Obafemi’s clipped pass and Parrott’s ruthless finish for Ireland's second – but the highlight of the evening was Obafemi’s rasping 25-yard drive that flew past Craig Gordon.
If the wind was blowing a certain direction, the Aviva Stadium roar could have been heard in Balbriggan.
Afterwards, reporters made the weighty comparison between Harry Kane and Son Heung-min and Parrott and Obafemi.
When this was put to the Swansea man, who was winning his first start for Ireland, he said: "Kind of, yes", before adding: "And then in the second half I turned into Harry Kane!"
Obafemi is rated a doubtful starter for tomorrow night’s return match with Ukraine, as is John Egan, while Shane Duffy is suspended after picking up another booking on Saturday evening. Josh Cullen may be rested after playing three games in quick succession.
“Some players weren't in the squad, Scott Hogan, for the first couple of games we played,” said Kenny.
“Darragh Lenihan wasn't in the squad but came in and is a potential starter on Tuesday for example. That is the nature of international football - margins like that.”
Republic of Ireland ratings
Caoimhin Kelleher: Liverpool’s back-up ‘keeper has better feet than some central defenders, happily switching to his left at times. Very assured throughout, made a smart save to deny John McGinn, handling impeccable. 8
Alan Browne: A few hairy moments early on in an unfamiliar wing-back role, but settled. Has a habit of scoring important goals. Generally untroubled by Andy Robertson’s raids and pressed the ball brilliantly that led to Obafemi’s wonder goal. 7
James McClean: Two terrible crosses but all the others were of a high order. Tough opening 15 minutes, but got his second wind and assisted for Ireland’s opener. Set the right tempo. 7
John Egan: A surprise inclusion after being ruled out of the game. Doesn’t move into midfield as smoothly as Omobamidele but made some courageous blocks and cleared danger numerous times. 7
Shane Duffy: Definitely not the man for restarts as two went badly wrong that could have been costly. But offers so much in terms of old-fashioned defending and was a constant danger in Scotland’s penalty area. 6
Nathan Collins: Earned rave reviews against Ukraine. Some of his early passes went astray but has excellent recovery. Will be hard to dislodge now. 7
Josh Cullen: At times you feared for the acreage he had to cover but always grows into the game in the midfield anchor role, assisted by Knight’s intelligent covering on his left side. 7.5
Jayson Molumby: You’ll not encounter a more tenacious midfielder than the Waterford man. Justified his call-up. Got through a serious amount of work and claimed a decisive victory over McTominay and McGregor. 7.5
Jason Knight: A tactically exceptional display from the Derby man. Brilliant in and out of possession and proved a puzzle Scotland never solved. No surprise he ran out of steam towards the end and was replaced. 8
STAR MAN: Michael Obafemi: Winning his first start, Obafemi brought uncoachable brilliance to the table on Saturday, assisting for Parrott’s goal and scoring one of the best goals ever seen at the Aviva. 8.5
Troy Parrott: Gives his heart and soul to the cause but also a very intelligent front man. Brilliant run and headed finish for Ireland’s second goal. Led the line supremely well before running himself to a standstill. 8
Subs:
Scott Hogan: Came in for the injured Obafemi and had a header cleared off the line. 6
Conor Hourihane: Sprung from the bench at the right time to shore up Ireland’s left side. 5
Jeff Hendrick: Got through a fair amount of work in the short time he was on the field. 5
Callum Robinson: Worked the right flank and picked up a late booking. 5
