“Seriously worrying times.”
Damien Delaney has criticised Stephen Kenny and his team after the Republic of Ireland’s narrow win over Armenia.
The Boys in Green were leading 2-0 thanks to goals from John Egan and Michael Obafemi and cruising in the game until Armenia mounted a dramatic comeback. The visitors scored in the 71st and 73rd minutes as Ireland imploded at the Aviva Stadium.
The home side were on the ropes and if Armenia had scored a winner, Ireland would have been relegated from their Uefa Nations League group.
Kenny’s side, however, were awarded a late penalty for handball, and Armenia had two players sent off protesting the decision. Robbie Brady scored from the spot to spare Ireland from an embarrassing result.
Damien Delaney: Ireland shouldn’t celebrate win over Armenia.
Speaking on Virgin Media Sport immediately following the full-time whistle, Delaney was heavily critical of Kenny.
The former Ireland defender said that the team should not celebrate their narrow win over the team ranked 92nd in the world.
Delaney also questioned Ireland’s progress under Kenny.
"We played very well. Very pleased with how we played… we could have been 4 up, by that stage"
"We were much the better team. We could have won by a few goals, but there's learnings there for us."
"It was an exceptional performance, at times. We dominated."
– Stephen Kenny pic.twitter.com/SRD3Ui9oQh
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) September 27, 2022
“This is a team that have three wins in 20 competitive games,” Delaney said on Virgin Media Sport.
“We’re in the box seat, discipline and concentration went out the window. Stephen Kenny doesn’t hold a patent on an Irish team playing football.
“There seems to be a theory out there that if we get rid of Stephen Kenny, we’re going to go out and get a Sam Allardyce… There are other managers who could get Ireland playing football.”
“Nothing is to be celebrated tonight after that,” Delaney continued.
“I mean, that is the biggest get-out-of-jail-free card that we’ve ever got. That was shambolic, that we gave up a position of superiority like that with the ease with which we gave it up.
“I’m flabbergasted. We’re talking about progress and we’re playing better football. We said it’s about getting results, and we got a result tonight, but by the skin of his teeth against a team ranked 92nd in the world.
“Since they beat us in Yerevan, they’ve lost all their games, conceded 14 and scored one. And tonight, by the way, when it went to 2-2, they had a couple of half chances, and they were in the ascendency… Seriously worrying times.”
You can watch Delaney speak about Ireland’s performance below.
"There are other managers who could get Ireland playing football."
Damien Delaney doesn't hold back here speaking about Ireland and Stephen Kenny pic.twitter.com/CSc6tUbY27
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) September 27, 2022
Related links.
- Ireland player ratings as Stephen Kenny’s team survive scare against Armenia.
- Ireland U21s miss out on European Championships after devastating shootout drama.
- “How long does this go on for?” – Damien Delaney challenges Stephen Kenny’s record.
