(l-r) Adam Idah and Keith Andrews are set to gain from the arrival of Stephen Kenny as Ireland manager, but it could spell the end of the road for veteran midfielder Glenn Whelan

WINNERS

Keith Andrews

When the succession plan was announced, Andrews was making his name in the media world despite positive reports of his coaching prowess with MK Dons and the Irish underage teams.

It seemed plausible he would go down that path further and he had actually clashed with Martin O’Neill over comments he made in the aftermath of the World Cup play-off defeat to Denmark. But the exit of O’Neill changed things for Andrews.

He didn’t know Stephen Kenny but they quickly struck up a solid working relationship with the Irish U-21s and there was never any doubt that he would be moving up with his fellow Dubliner when the time came.

Matt Doherty

The Wolves star endured a frustrating time under Mick McCarthy, although it was nothing compared to his struggles with Martin O’Neill.

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McCarthy brought Doherty to England and rates him highly but he stuck with captain Seamus Coleman at right-back and abandoned the idea of trying Doherty on the right wing following his struggles in the wind in Gibraltar.

Kenny likes attacking full-backs and Doherty is a certainty for a prominent role when football resumes.

Adam Idah

Kenny has a range of attacking talents to choose from and Troy Parrott and Aaron Connolly will always be wondering what the transition means for them.

Idah is yet to figure in a senior squad but that should change before the year is out. The incoming boss likes a good all-rounder in the number nine role with attacking wingers playing off him and the powerful and speedy Idah ticks the boxes for a rapid promotion.

Jayson Molumby

There was a lovely moment during Kenny’s first U-21 match in charge when he grabbed Molumby as he was substituted, turned to the crowd and shouted about how brilliant the Brighton player had been.

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The context was that Molumby had recovered from a long-term injury and was only taking baby steps back but the Waterford man has grown in the space of a year.

He’s gained extensive Championship experience at Millwall, earned a new deal at Brighton and knows that the next senior manager admires the combative box-to-box service he offers.





LOSERS

Robbie Keane

For all that his lucrative contract leaves him in a favourable bargaining position with the FAI, Keane has made plenty of money across the course of his career and it was clearly a difficult weekend for Ireland’s record goalscorer.

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Whatsapp Robbie Keane. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Given the new FAI’s desire to make all the right moves, it seems to be an oversight that Keane found himself in a position where he was in the dark while his role in the Irish set-up was filled.

It’s a tough one to take for the 39-year-old, especially with old colleagues moving into the void.

Glenn Whelan

Whelan is set to be a victim of timing as much as Mick McCarthy’s exit. Bringing the veteran out of retirement turned out to be a good move by the outgoing boss, with Whelan probably the most consistent midfielder across the course of the qualifying campaign.

Irish duty was the priority when it came to club moves and he’s now at Fleetwood following an unhappy spell with Hearts. Five months down the line, he’s likely to find himself pushed out by young blood.

David McGoldrick

After a stop-start Irish career, or a series of stops truth be told, the McCarthy’s arrival coincided with his resurgence at Sheffield United.

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Whatsapp David McGoldrick. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

They had a working relationship with Ipswich but McGoldrick was fitter in the last year than he was at any stage at Portman Road and that showed in his performances.

Once viewed as a luxury playmaker, he adapted to the challenge of leading the line. Don’t expect Kenny to cast him aside. He’s sure to see the training ground skills that endear him to colleagues. But he’s by no means a certain starter either.

James Collins

The Luton attacker may have work to do to add to the four caps he earned during McCarthy’s final months in the job.

He is good around the area but wouldn’t be regarded as especially mobile and the suspicion is that Kenny will favour more dynamic players in that area of the pitch.

Individuals with a working knowledge of Kenny also anticipate that Shane Long’s skill-set will lead to his recall so Collins may possibly be squeezed out with the young guns coming through as well.

Online Editors