Gibraltar 0-4 Republic of Ireland: Evan Ferguson scores in much-needed victory for Stephen Kenny’s side

Under-fire manager Stephen Kenny was spared further punishment as the Republic of Ireland eased to a 4-0 Euro 2024 qualifying victory over Gibraltar.

Brighton teenager Evan Ferguson fired the visitors into an eight-minute lead at the Estadio Algarve with his third senior international goal before Celtic winger Mikey Johnston, Wolves defender Matt Doherty and substitute Callum Robinson struck for just a second Group B victory campaign achieved.

Kenny had gone into the match insisting he would remain in charge until a review of his reign took place following their final qualifying match against the Netherlands and a friendly with New Zealand in November.

But when asked if the win over Gibraltar would be his last match, Kenny said: “That is out of my control, I have no influence on that. For me I have to try to get a result in Amsterdam.

“It’s a big game. The Netherlands have to win to qualify. They will fly. We have to put in a performance against the Netherlands in Amsterdam. It’s a big challenge, it’s one we’re looking forward to. It’s out of my control.

“I honestly don’t know. It could well be. I will give everything against the Netherlands and New Zealand. There is no doubt about it, I want to be manager of Ireland. It is brilliant.”

Ireland negotiated a match they should have won comfortably, with a minimum of fuss, to complete a doubles match on the minnows ahead of next month’s trip to the Netherlands.

Once again there will be nothing but pride at stake in Amsterdam, where hopes of automatic qualification have been extinguished by Friday night’s 2-0 home defeat to Greece, and even the possibility of a play-off place looks dimmer by the day.

The games against Gibraltar, who have now played 44 European Championship and World Cup qualifiers and not collected a single point, were never going to be the benchmark for the Football Association of Ireland’s assessment and although embarrassment was easily avoided, difficult questions remain for a manager whose 28 competitive games have produced just six wins.

Kenny, once again fielding a four instead of his usual three, gave Johnston a first senior international start in the search for some much-needed creativity.

However, it was from the other flank that the visitors struck first as Chiedozie Ogbene curled a pass into Doherty’s overlapping point and the unmarked Ferguson sent his cross past helpless goalkeeper Dayle Coleing in the eighth minute.

Luton forward Ogbene continued to look Ireland’s most powerful weapon from the right flank and, with Josh Cullen probing from central midfield, they dominated possession without creating clear openings.

They might have increased their lead when Ryan Manning’s corner was allowed to pass untouched across the six-yard box in the 24th minute, but Shane Duffy was unable to put the ball past the far post.

Coleing had to wave away Johnston’s swerve after passing Tjay de Barr and Liam Walker seconds later.

The Celtic man got his name on the scoresheet when Doherty accepted another pass from Ogbene in the space between defenders Jayce Olivero and John Sergeant in the 29th minute and sent a cross for the winger to slide in and, after his first attempt from a post had returned, bundle the rebound over the line.

Coleing had to race from his line to prevent Johnston from reaching Jamie McGrath’s defensive pass seven minutes before half-time and then blocked Ferguson’s stab after Johnston pulled the ball back.

Walker collected Gibraltar’s first try in stoppage time after De Barr robbed Johnston and ran into space down the right, but the midfielder’s effort flew harmlessly wide.

Coleing plucked McGrath’s header from the night sky after connecting with Ogbene’s cross and then blocked Jason Knight’s solid drive, but he was a relieved man when Duffy’s volley from a Johnston corner flew just wide in a flurry of activity at the start of the match. second half.

Knight sent a diving header wide from Johnston’s cross in the 51st minute, with Gibraltar’s defense at sixes and sevens and Ferguson was unable to hit the target with a free-kick from 25 yards as the Republic looked to end the match .

Johnston saw a shot go wide on the hour mark, but then delivered a corner that was cleverly tapped in by McGrath for Doherty to head past the keeper from close range.

Substitute Robinson completed the job with a header in the 80th minute to equal the 4-0 scoreline when the sides last met in Faro in 2015.

Kenny: Players deserve credit for the response

“We are disappointed to have lost Friday’s match. Putting that behind us and training and preparing yourself in a professional way and then working the openings for the goals in a very smart way made finishing easier .

“The players deserve the credit because it was a professional job that night and a good performance. We could have scored many more goals.”

“I understand the Greek results, I understand that. Losing against Greece, that is a 50-50 match. We lost. That is why there is a lot of criticism.”

“That’s okay. There has also been a lot of good football that people should not forget.”

What’s next?

republic of Ireland returns to action in November with a Euro 2024 qualifier against the The Netherlands in Amsterdam on November 18, followed by a friendly match New Zealand in Dublin on November 21.