Talking Points as Republic of Ireland seek win against minnows Gibraltar
Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny is facing mounting criticism (Liam McBurney/PA)
The Republic of Ireland embark upon a face-saving mission in Faro on Monday evening when they attempt to secure just a second Euro 2024 qualifier victory at the seventh time of asking.
Anything but a comfortable win over Group B minnows Gibraltar, the only team Stephen Kenny’s men have beaten to date during a desperately disappointing campaign, would invite derision with automatic qualification gone and a play-off place an unlikely source of salvation.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the talking points surrounding the game at the Estadio Algarve.
Positive results in competitive games have eluded Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny (Donall Farmer/PA)
Stephen Kenny launched his reign as Ireland manager on twin promises to overhaul an ageing squad and play a more exciting brand of football. He has delivered the former and achieved only partial success with the latter. Unfortunately for him, any progress has not been translated into results and as he heads into what seems certain to be his penultimate competitive game, he has won only five of the 27 which have preceded it.
Cristiano Ronaldo (centre) got Portugal out of jail against the Republic of Ireland in Faro (Isabel Infantes/PA)
While the Republic of Ireland’s last away game against Gibraltar – a 1-0 Euro 2020 qualifier win at the Victoria Stadium in March 2019 – was played on the rock itself, the sides have met previously at the Estadio Algarve. Robbie Keane’s double and goals from Cyrus Christie and Shane Long secured a 4-0 Euro 2016 qualifier victory in September 2015. However, their most recent visit to the stadium in September 2021 had a nasty twist in
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