Frustrating Ireland goal drought blurs Stephen Kenny’s efforts to shape long-term vision

Kenny’s side has scored nine times in their last seven games, a ratio largely in keeping with the national team’s parsimonious returns in years gone by, but one artificially inflated by four against Andorra

Daryl Horgan: ‘All we can do is keep working hard.’ Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

Daryl Horgan wasn’t a wet week back in the Ireland set-up after a long spell in cold storage when he voiced his frustration over the side’s inability to translate possession and chances into goals.

“Maybe against Finland, the ball could hit someone on the arse and goes in,” he said after a drab 0-0 Nations League draw against Wales last October. “The goals could flow after something like that.”