'Ambition can take you to the darkest of places' — Kenny bows out undeterred

BOWING OUT: Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Stephen Kenny has used his final programme notes to justify his abject Ireland tenure, claiming ambition can take you to the “darkest of places”.

Tonight’s friendly against New Zealand brings to an end the Dubliner’s three-and-a-half-year, 40-game reign, with the FAI board set to release him once his contract lapses over the next week.