JAMES MCCLEAN SAYS managing the Republic of Ireland team is the “ultimate job” for Stephen Kenny after it was revealed this week that he is set to remain in the position for the remainder of Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
Kenny has been heavily criticised after his team suffered four defeats from the first five games of the campaign, which effectively rules out any hopes of automatic progress in the competition. A play-off spot is highly unlikely given that will be determined by Nations League rankings.
Speaking on the Late Late Show, McClean said that while the team is disappointed with their results so far in the qualifiers, he stressed that Kenny’s commitment to the job cannot be questioned.
“Look for me, I’m not the decision-maker so I can’t get into too much on that but I can speak on Stephen and I see what the job means to him and what puts in day in and day out when we meet him. For him, it’s the ultimate job – managing his country. He’s passionate about it and he’s determined to succeed. You’re judged on results and we all wish this campaign would go better than it has so far but I’m thankful that I’m not the decision-maker on things like that.”
"On the spectrum and proud of it"
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) September 15, 2023
James McClean on tonight's #LateLate @patrickielty pic.twitter.com/t0tch4hTM9
The Late Late Show’s new presenter Patrick Kielty also asked McClean about his plans for his international future, and whether he has began contemplating retirement.
“In football, you get old unfortunately,” the 34-year-old explained.
“All good things come to an end. Look, there’s still four games left in this calendar year so it won’t be any time before that but there’s a long gap until the next campaign and I’ll be another year older so I think in a year’s time when that campaign comes around, I’ll see where I’m at and I’ll make a decision based on how things are at the time.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
The Sport Ireland statement is a strange one “he bore no significant fault or negligence”- While I’d doubt he intentionally took the substance it was most definitely negligent not to check with the team nutritionist if the substance was legal or not
Brendan O Sullivan got off lightly. Would the sports council have been so lenient if he was an athlete or cyclist.
No one forced O Sullivan to take the illegal supplement. It was the height of stupidly not to check with the team doctor.
As for Marc O Se to say he was unaware of O Sullivan’s use of an illegal supplement. Did he never ask where’s Brendan?
@Diarmuid: the banned substance was not in a supplement but in a sports drink, similar to Lucozade sport. That’s why he got off so lightly
Kimmage will be all over this like a rash. “Now hang on Joe! This is important!”
@Marks Awarded: he was on the same time as O Se and you’re correct. That’s exactly how it went
OSullivan had no idea what he took, it was in a drink. I believe that.
What I dont believe is Marc O’Se saying he had no idea, thats bullsh!t.
But fair play to the Kerry boys for closing ranks and keeping this quite. Best of luck to anyone who can beat these, that sort of loyalty and respect is hard to beat!!
Imagine if this was Diarmuid Connolly or another Dublin player.. Ud have fools tarnishing they’re All Ireland wins .. If its Kerry its ok just a mistake
Kerry didn’t win an AIl Ireland last year.