Seasonal green shoots have wilted before...but hope springs for Kenny

Ireland have made positive beginnings to a year in recent times only to see things fall flat. Belgium offer the class of 2022 a chance to really set the tone

As we mean to go on: Manager Stephen Kenny speaks to his players during a Republic of Ireland training session at Lansdowne Road. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

When the seasons change, the sun comes out and there’s a clean slate, the natural tendency is to start the international year with renewed optimism.

Take the last handful for example; in 2018, there was Declan Rice’s senior debut in Turkey, followed 12 months later by Mick McCarthy’s second coming as manger.