STEPHEN KENNY SAYS his players will “dust themselves down” after his first real setback as Ireland U21 manager.
The Boys in Green headed into yesterday’s Euro qualifier away to Iceland unbeaten and top of Group 1 after claiming 10 points from their opening four matches.
Played on an artificial surface, conditions were far from ideal in Reykjavik with a strong gale blowing across the pitch.
The home side were awarded a penalty just before the half-hour mark as Celtic defender Lee O’Connor was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.
Sveinn Aron Gudjohnsen, son of Icelandic legend Eidur, stepped up to score past Caoimhin Kelleher and although Michael Obafemi, Dara O’Shea and Adam Idah all had great chances to equalise as the visitors took control, the game ended in a 1-0 defeat.
O’Connor was also red-carded after picking up a second booking in the 89th minute.
“We’re very disappointed to lose the game,” Kenny told FAI TV. “It was a very harsh penalty given against Lee O’Connor. It was quite a controversial decision and that swung the game.
“It was an unusual game. We were playing in a wind tunnel, and the match was affected by that as it was blowing across the pitch. That made the first 20-25 minutes very difficult.
“We probably didn’t adapt as well as we could have early in the game, but in the second half we got control and dominated.
“But, as the penalty had been scored, they were able to get 11 men in their own half. They were a very tall team and were difficult to break down.
We had three or four really good chances but didn’t capitalise.
“Iceland at home a very difficult proposition as the venue that they play in is very open and windy, but we have to accept defeat. The players are hurting and it’s one we are disappointed to lose but it’s our first defeat of the campaign and we have to dust ourselves down.”
Ireland remain in top spot, but the chasing pack of Iceland, Italy and Sweden all have games in hand.
Next up is a trip to Armenia on 14 November before they host Sweden at Tallaght Stadium five days later.
“It’s a very open group,” Kenny added. “We’ve beaten Sweden away and Sweden have beaten Iceland. Now Iceland have beaten us, and Italy have to go away to all of these teams.
“We’re still in a good position. We have a big 10 days in November when we go to Armenia and Sweden come to us, so we have to get ourselves ready and put this behind us.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Kenny was simply stating the conditions were very tough. Just like they were for Mick Mccarthy away to Georgia considering a 3000 mile flight.
If anything Kenny is really positive and a breath of fresh air, so comments on here of him making excuses are dumb.
@Stanley Baggins: have you payed close attention to Kennys career?it was always excuses with him from Derry to Scotland from Rovers to dundalk, dundalk would run away with the league but they lose one game and it’s like he turns into klopp, the ball was to hard, the net blew in the wind, before the game one of our players dropped a rubber ball near one of our players foot, keep a eye on it from now on when he loses there is always excuse,just say we had chances we need to finish them but we were not good enough in front of goal and leave it at that
@Happy entertainment: I’d say all managers make excuses, he said they’ll dust themselves down and get on with it, he has those young fellas playing lovely football and getting some excellent results, he bought great success to Dundalk at home and in Europe. I’m sorry now but I’d say you’re hard to please.
@mike Kennedy: I’m not hard to please I love the football they are playing with u21 and can’t wait till Kenny takes over senior team, he is a great manager but just say we had 5 good chances but weren’t good enough that’s it
As I said last night on another article I was hoping Kenny wouldn’t start this shit again blaming everything and anything for a loss, same shit I couldn’t stand at dundalk, come out and say it straight it was poor finishing we had chances
@Happy entertainment: players and managers can say if they felt things went against them if they want. What’s the problem with that? J
@Happy entertainment:
Turning into Klopp would be an advantage. You should change your handle to unhappy entertainment.
Kenny out!