Adam Idah celebrates after scoring for Ireland U21s with team-mate Troy Parrott during the European U21 Championship qualifier against Sweden at Tallaght Stadium last November. Photo: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Ireland's young stars were unlikely to get a chance to shine in the Euro 2020 play-off against Slovakia – but all that could now change after Stephen Kenny took over the senior role on Saturday.

Departed Ireland Mick McCarthy had made it clear that the game in Bratislava would not be a moment for him to give young players an opportunity, as he vowed to stand by the experienced performers who had served him well during his second spell as national team boss.

Yet after the Slovakia game was postponed twice amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Kenny is now set to lead a squad he has not worked with into the crunch qualifier and he may be tempted to draft in some of the young guns who have excelled during his successful spell as Ireland U-21 boss.

Brighton midfielder Jayson Molumby will be a candidate for a senior call-up after his successful spell on loan at Millwall this season, with the midfielder – who was Kenny’s captain in the U-21 set-up – a big admirer of the former Dundalk manager.

"He's very approachable and very keen on improving people, working closely with players," Molumby said.

Expand Close Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy (right) has departed the role, making way for Under-21s manager Stephen Kenny. Photo: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile SPORTSFILE / Facebook

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Whatsapp Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy (right) has departed the role, making way for Under-21s manager Stephen Kenny. Photo: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

"All the lads in the U-21 set-up have enjoyed working with him and his man-management skills are second to none. You don't want to let him down and that is a good quality for any manager.

"The quality of the group of players we have coming through is fantastic and having the chance to work with the next Ireland manager can only be positive.

"We have all been trying to impress him because we know his time as Ireland manager is coming and I'm sure he will do a great job. He is a top coach."

Ireland U-18 coach Andy Reid has also been impressed by Kenny's input since he joined the FAI, with the former Tottenham, Forest and Ireland winger getting to know the man now leading Ireland charge.

"I've had a chance to spend some time with Stephen since I started working with the Ireland U-18s and one thing everyone says about him is that players will run through bricks walls for him.

"We didn't know each other too well, but we had some chats at FAI coaching get-togethers we have every month and he has come across very well.

"He actually called me up last year and we went to a game together and had some good chats, so I wish him well in the top job. His connections with the U-21s have to help as we have a great crop of kids coming through there."

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The circumstances surrounding Kenny's appointment may come back to haunt him, with suggestions that senior players and McCarthy are furious by the desire of the new man to seize power in these unprecedented circumstances likely to pile the pressure on the new boss in his first game in charge.

Even though Kenny was always in line to take over as boss on August 1, there was an expectation that he would not object to McCarthy continuing in his role and completing the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.

Yet when it became clear in recent days that a compromise could not be reached between all parties, the FAI were left with little choice other than to proceed with the succession plan that was put in place by John Delaney during his time at the helm of the organisation.

Now Kenny faces the ultimate test, with the Slovakia play-off game set to be the biggest game of his coaching career when it hopefully gets the green light to be played later this year.