'We want to be successful in changing how Irish football is viewed worldwide'

“For the Irish team to really capture the imagination of the nation in a major way it is linked to being successful and going to major tournaments, that's what really captures the full imagination"

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny during a press conference over the weekend. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

The hope is that Stephen Kenny will usher in a new era for Irish football and the Republic of Ireland manager has embraced that expectation by declaring his intention to shake off the team's image as a physical, long-ball side shackled to its British roots.

His Dundalk team played some exceptional football in reaching the group stages of the Europa League, and his Ireland U21 outfit followed a similar step in rising to the top of their qualifying group, but the Boys In Green are another task entirely.