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Stephen Kenny is confident the foundation is in place for a brighter future for the Republic of Ireland despite seeing their disappointing Euro 2024 campaign fizzle out in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n
Ireland knew before kick-off at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam that they would not be going to next summer\u2019s finals after their feint hopes of snatching a play-off spot had finally been extinguished.<\/p>\n
They had hoped to sign off with a famous win over Ronald Koeman\u2019s men, but ultimately slipped to a 1-0 defeat which could and perhaps should have been significantly more substantial.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CzzYYd8IXHS<\/p>\n
However asked if he remains convinced there is a firm base in place after three and a half years at the helm which have seen a major overhaul of the squad, a defiant Kenny said: \u201cYes, without doubt there is.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat was the alternative? If you can tell me\u2026 Over the years, a lot of our players have moved down the divisions, so absolutely. These are the best players that Ireland have now.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve gone up against a world-class team there, one of the best teams in Europe. It\u2019s a tough game when you come to Holland, for sure, there\u2019s no doubt about that.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reason no Irish team in its history has beaten a team of Holland\u2019s calibre away from home \u2013 and there\u2019s been better teams than us, for sure, a lot of great teams \u2013 is because it\u2019s really difficult, really, really difficult to beat a tier one nation like that away from home in a qualifier.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was a brilliant finish and you would not expect him to score from that angle, but it was a phenomenal finish and we got punished<\/p>\n
The contest was settled by Wout Weghorst\u2019s 12th-minute strike after he turned Nathan Collins on halfway before surging upfield to blast a shot past goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.<\/p>\n
Kenny said: \u201cRyan Manning and Nathan collided and it opened up for Weghorst to go and score. It was a brilliant finish and you would not expect him to score from that angle, but it was a phenomenal finish and we got punished.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Hoffenheim frontman\u2019s contribution \u2013 he is on loan at the Bundesliga club from Burnley \u2013 should have been just a start, and the Dutch were grateful they were not made to pay for their profligacy as chances came and went without the scoreline changing.<\/p>\n
That said, Ireland produced little of note in reply barring substitute Adam Idah\u2019s 59th-minute effort, which was ruled out for offside to the great relief of keeper Bart Verbruggen, who had allowed the Norwich striker\u2019s shot to squirm between his legs.<\/p>\n
Kenny\u2019s men finished fourth in Group B with all six of their points coming from victories over Gibraltar, who were trounced 14-0 by France, and most commentators do not expect him to survive a review later this month with his current contract due to expire after Tuesday\u2019s friendly against New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Asked if he has been able to enjoy his time at the helm, he said: \u201cIt\u2019s an absolute privilege to manage Ireland, I\u2019ve always said that and I always would feel that. Yes, it\u2019s been a roller-coaster of emotions, of course, but it\u2019s all been an honour to manage Ireland.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Opposite number Ronald Koeman was measured after securing the win which ensured the Dutch will be at the finals in Germany.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cOf course we are happy to have the qualification for the Euros. We did our job. We won twice against Ireland, we won twice against Greece, we lost twice against France \u2013 that made the away game against Ireland more difficult.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was more pressure even against Greece away, but we did the job that we had to do, that everybody was expecting, but you have to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n