Farewell, Stephen: Hope now turns to the kids Kenny has introduced to the international stage

The hope is that Kenny’s Kids will become men capable of reaching tournaments but for that to happen someone with far superior game management and an ability to provide some fire is required.

FAREWELL; Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny after the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and New Zealand at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Farewell, then, Stephen Kenny. 

In these final three months of his three years in charge, the 52-year-old’s puzzled frown has appeared permanent and here, in a game with no real consequences, the hopes of at least signing off with a positive spin were extinguished by yet another long-range concession, the type of goal that Ireland have not been able to stop conceding.