2024 European Qualifying Group B: Gibraltar 0 Republic of Ireland 4
FOR 94 minutes in Faro on Monday night, this Euro 2024 qualifier had no meaning, no purpose and sadly was an accurate reflection of what has been a rudderless, generally lifeless campaign for the Republic of Ireland.
For the entire duration of Ireland’s penultimate qualifier, the mind often wondered: what’s the point of the Gibraltar national team, in a game which barely reached the threshold of being classified as a fully-fledged international.
Undoubtedly in his last throes as Ireland’s senior international manager, Stephen Kenny was thankful for small mercies on the night.
After a disastrous 2-0 home defeat to Greece in Dublin only three nights earlier, the Dubliner didn’t want to run the gauntlet of being held scoreless for any length of time by Group B’s minnows.
The under-pressure manager only had to wait eight minutes for his side to open the scoring – a neat, close-range finish from Evan Ferguson after smart combination play between Chiedozie Ogbene and Matt Doherty down the inside right channel.
Breaking Gibraltar early was always going to yield more goals and three more arrived before the end of a drab night on the Algarve.
Twenty minutes later, Mikey Johnston doubled Ireland’s lead after he caught his rebound and poked home. Doherty stooped to head Ireland’s third just after the hour mark and substitute Callum Robinson’s glancing header 10 minutes from time made it four.
Even though Gibraltar tried to park the bus on the edge of their 18-yard box, the Irish players had no problem finding space anywhere on the field.
This was no more than a glorified training session – attack versus defence for 94 minutes – and where the defenders looked perpetually leggy, naïve and out of their depth.
Scoring four goals provided Kenny with his best winning margin in the job – but none of them offered themselves as a soothing balm for what went before in Group B.
Goal celebrations were muted too. The players knew the score. The Irish management knew the score. The damage was done many months ago and the team never looked like it had the confidence or necessary quality to turn their fortunes around in the group.
A penny for the manager’s thoughts for what was always destined to be a joyless, fake kind of night in southern Portugal. More post-match press conferences trying to drum up enthusiasm for what was an utterly meaningless game of football.
And yet, everyone imagined a different narrative. Kenny went almost as far as to promise the Irish fans that the fortunes of the team would improve and that they’d be ready to give Euro 2024 qualification a good, honest shot.
When surveying the fixture list at the outset, Irish fans hoped – dreamed – of needing to keep tabs on the happenings in Athens between Greece and Holland from Faro with qualification in reach.
But, as it turned out, none of it mattered. What we did learn was Ireland might have some semblance of a decent attack forming ahead of the next Nations League campaign.
Mikey Johnston on one wing, Ogbene on the other, and Evan Ferguson filling his boots in the centre.
But that lofty thought will probably be the preserve of a different manager after this disastrous campaign concludes next month away to Holland.
Another game that can't be played quick enough.
Things have always been turbulent under Kenny - but nobody expected them to nose-dive to this level three years into a tenure that promised so much but delivered so little in the way of results.
Republic of Ireland ratings
Gavin Bazunu: Another cap for the Southampton ‘keeper and a virtual spectator in Faro. 6
Matt Doherty: Little or no defending to do, supported the attack well, scored a goal and claimed two assists. 7
Ryan Manning: A composed display against very little. Doesn’t have electric pace and prefers to support from behind the ball. 6
Liam Scales: Has laid down a marker in an area where there is the stiffest competition. Being a left-footer helps his cause. 6
Shane Duffy: Had several attempts on goal and was unlucky not to get on the score-sheet. A stress-free evening in Faro. 7
Josh Cullen: Does what it says on the tin. Passes the ball from side to side but doesn’t roll the dice too much at the base of the Irish midfield.
Jason Knight: Had a more attacking role and made some well-timed runs. Hard working as always. 6
Jamie McGrath: Claimed two assists on the night for Robinson and Matt Doherty’s goals and put in a good shift overall. 6
Chiedozie Ogbene: One of the success stories of the Stephen Kenny era. Gives a bit of spark to the Irish attack, hardworking and assisted for Ireland’s first goal. 7
Evan Ferguson: Got Ireland off to a good start with an easy goal. Had a few other decent chances on a handy 65 minutes for the Brighton man. 7
Mikey Johnston: Has a couple of tricks and decent end product in his game. A certain starter when Ireland play with a flat back four. 6.5
Subs:
Adam Idah: Lively last 25 minutes. 6
Callum Robinson: Had the freedom of the Gibraltar penalty area when he nodded Ireland’s fourth of the night. 6
Mark Sykes: A second cap for the Belfast man. 6
Dara O’Shea: Very little to do when he arrived late in the second half. 5.
