Gavin Bazunu's brilliance offers Ireland hope for the future

Stephen Kenny — or whoever replaces him — will have something to build on with the emergence of a new generation of talent

Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu put on a man-of-the-match performance but could not keep out Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s header for Serbia’s opener at the Aviva Stadium. Picture: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

It had been hard to find many positives from a tough week for Stephen Kelly, but amid the dark clouds gathering over the Ireland manager, he got a release through Gavin Bazunu and his decision to blood him at full international level in this campaign.

The Dubliner may be only 19 years old and yet to play at a level higher than English League One in club football, but he already looks to be a fixture on the international stage behind the Boys in Green, and has all the makings of a man to challenge Shay Given and Packie Bonner as the best goalkeeper this country has produced.