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"Is Jack Byrne trending yet?" | Irish fans doubt Kenny's team selection

On another frustrating night for Stephen Kenny and his Ireland side, many Irish fans have been le...



Soccer

"Is Jack Byrne trending yet?" | Irish fans doubt Kenny's team selection

On another frustrating night for Stephen Kenny and his Ireland side, many Irish fans have been left wondering what must happen for Jack Byrne to be afforded some meaningful game-time. 

In a game that saw Ireland surpass the 10-hour mark without scoring a goal, the continued absence of Shamrock Rovers midfielder Jack Byrne from Stephen Kenny's team became a bone of contention for fans.

Speaking on Virgin Media Sport pre-match, former Republic of Ireland international Damien Delaney considered Kenny's decision to overlook the League of Ireland midfielder for tonight's game.

"Stephen just seems to have gone for a touch more experience," Delaney reasoned, "with players playing in the UK [and] I'm sure he has his reasons.

"I suppose if you're chasing a game or looking to see a game out then Jack is always an option off the bench and he is a very, very good player.

"He was unlucky though in the last game with the squared-pass that resulted in Jeff Hendrick being sent-off, so maybe that's played into Stephen's thinking a little bit."

After a disappointing first-half that finished goalless, Josh Cullen was Kenny's first substitution when he came on in place of Daryl Horgan a little after the one-hour mark.

In the end, the Manchester City academy product Byrne was given around 15 minutes playing time when he came on for an injured Robbie Brady. The Shamrock Rovers midfielder could not make any tangible difference, however, as Ireland recorded another 0-0 draw.

After the recent run of unsuccessful UEFA Nations League games, Ireland's next game is scheduled for early 2021 when qualifying for the 2021 World Cup will commence.

Eight games after first taking charge, Kenny is still looking for a first win.

Keep an eye on OTBSPorts.com for all the post-match reaction and tune in to OTB AM on Wednesday morning where there will be more on the latest in a line of disappointing results


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Bulgaria Jack Byrne Republic Of Ireland Shamrock Rovers Stephen Kenny