John Fallon: Last act of self-interest by Kenny could deprive U21s of their place in history
MONDAY saw two FAI managers, Stephen Kenny and Jim Crawford, speak on the thorny topic of Andy Moran and their utterances illustrated why just one will be around in 2024.
Promotion of players from the U21 ranks to the seniors is widely embraced if fixtures clash once either of two conditions is met; the underage game being of less significance and the graduate has a chance of game-time.
On the first criteria, a Euro qualifier against Netherlands trumps Norway for the 21s ordinarily if there was something at stake.
There was in Drammen where Crawford’s youngsters were chasing a fourth straight victory in their campaign whereas not even the big win Kenny fantastised about in Amsterdam wouldn’t improve his lowly finish in the table of fourth.
Secondly, the talented playmaker was left on the bench watching five other subs were introduced.
Kenny, speaking since, admitted Moran was an option as an attacking midfielder or from wide but overlooked him when the opportunities arose in the second half in favour of Jamie McGrath and Troy Parrott. A creative spark in the final third was abundantly lacking.
All the second element did was compound the frustration of the first.
Kenny admitted the U21 game was a factor in excluding Moran from the original squad but circumstances changed through injuries. “We had scans of five players,” he proclaimed as part of his defence. Indeed, they did but Evan Ferguson and McGrath were passed fit by his pre-match press briefing on Thursday.
It didn’t require Didi Hamann’s tirade to highlight the folly in one of Kenny’s last acts as Ireland boss.
The European Under-21 Championships is the only tournament at any level an Irish team male team hasn’t reached.
Euro U17, U19 and senior finals have been
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