Brendan Boylan Column: Local apprehension likely following Kenny departure
Viewed through a certain lens, anybody winning 13 caps at international level, garnering multiple Heineken Cup souvenirs and rearing offspring who also went on to perform on the biggest stage would have had what would constitute a glorious career in rugby. Yet I often wonder does Trevor Brennan ponder what might have been.
Warren Gatland’s time as Ireland coach perhaps never got the plaudits it deserved – particularly in light of what he has gone on to achieve since departing these shores – but he will always be highly regarded by the occupant of this seat. Because he was one of the very few to see big Trev for what he was – a top class bloody rugby player.
The problem, though, was, with a lot of the uppity rugby ‘set’ at the time, the former milkman from Leixlip’s face didn’t fit. Thankfully, in all the years that have passed, the pompous facade has been drowned out and rugby is now very much the ordinary person’s game too. And the country is all the better for that being the case too.
When it comes to team selection, mind you - and I’m speaking from personal experience here - it boils down to a matter of managerial preference. For example, when involved with a team, I would always try to have a free taker who kicked them off the ground and a big presence in the full forward line. Old fashioned, perhaps, but as Meath proved on more than one occasion this year, capable of being effective.
Anyway, staying with the notion of managerial preferences, it’s only natural that there’s likely to be a certain apprehension in Royal County soccer circles following the departure of Stephen Kenny from his role as Republic Of Ireland senior manager.
I honestly cannot recall whether it was in the Martin O’Neill/Roy Keane era or during Mick McCarthy’s second stint that Dunboyne’s Darragh Lenihan made history by becoming the first player from Meath to be capped at senior level. What can be said, however, is that the now departed boss was more than fair to the green and gold exponents of the ground based game.
Players such as Lenihan, Jamie McGrath from Athboy, Mulhussey’s Mark Travers and, most outstandingly, the star of the seaside, Evan Ferguson, were given their chance to flourish at the highest level and all did so with relative degrees of success.
Ferguson’s stock has continued to rise exponentially as his employers Brighton have resoundingly proven that not only are they at home in the Premier League, they are more than capable of mixing it with Europe’s finest. As evidenced by their two fine outings against former European giants Ajax of Amsterdam. Unfortunately, Middlesbrough’s Lenihan’s luck has been at the exact opposite end of the scale.
The big centre half has been out for the last while with a cursed Achilles Tendon injury which is likely to keep him sidelined for some time yet as it’s unquestionably one of the most difficult ailments to overcome. Meanwhile, McGrath and his Aberdeen colleagues caused something of an upset today (Sunday) when holding Rangers to a draw. Though the Pittodrie outfit should have taken all three points.
Naturally, focus will now switch to who succeeds the former Derry City and Dundalk boss. Which means, of course, that all eligible and interested players will again be considering themselves to be in the shop window and hence doing their best to catch the eye of whoever the new gaffer turns out to be.
On that, notionally, there’s probably no panic with regard to kicking off the recruitment process. However, if the power brokers within the FAI have candidates in mind or there are those who have expressed an interest in taking up the position - of which there are at least two - there’s nothing to be gained from sitting on hands wasting time. Thus potentially leaving yourself open to being left with the shakings of the bag. Again.
Both Neil Lennon and Steve Bruce have seemingly already openly expressed an interest in the job. This observer wouldn’t have a problem with either man fulfilling the role. They’re a pair who, it would be ventured, would be quite popular with most people here.
The early so-called smart money appears to be on Lee Carsley, mind you. For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t let him near the Ireland position with a barge pole. He’s no different to Jack Grealish or Declan Rice or Alex Bruce - son of Steve, ironically - turned his back on us!
It depends what sort of tack the FAI take to filling the vacancy. If they go down the sticking plaster route - a la Steve Staunton, Brian Kerr and Mick McCarthy second time around, Carsley probably will be their choice.
Then again, given that Gareth Southgate never appears to ooze confidence regarding his job security, Carsley would be entitled to be considered, should a vacancy come up at St George’s Park. Given his record of achievement with the England U-21s.
Not that it would ever be otherwise, but the impending appointment feels like a crucially important one. Given the demographic of the current playing pool and, perhaps even more importantly, the fact that there is, quite evidently, a very talented U-21 team making their way through the ranks. Among them Dunboyne custodian Josh Keeley of Tottenham Hotspur.
Whomever does eventually end up in the home dugout will have plenty of cause for optimism, provided the powers-that-be do things properly. Don’t hold your breath.