Taking any positives from a defeat to Luxembourg can be a difficult task. However, if there was one it was without doubt the performance of Gavin Bazunu.
Making his debut as a 19-year old goalkeeper at international level, the former Shamrock Rovers starlet was assured with both his feet and hands, while he wasn't afraid to bark out orders to the much more experienced players in front of them.
There was little he could do about the Luxembourg goal, with Bazunu pulling off a couple of very smart saves over the course of the 90 minutes.
Overall, it was a glimpse of what could be to come from one of the biggest talents in Irish football.
For the player himself, it was a fantastic occasion. It will also be one he uses as motivation going forward in order to ensure he is not involved in a result such as this one again.
On a personal level it was a brilliant experience for me, I really enjoyed the game. I found out this morning just before we had a meeting (that he would be starting).
It was a mix of nervousness and excitement. It was a long wait until the game then. I just tried to stay calm and spoke to my Mam and my Dad and got their advice on how to stay calm and composed...
I think everyone else in the dressing will feel the same way. Losing is not a nice feeling no matter what, but in circumstances like this we know that sort of result isn't acceptable, the performance in the second half likewise.
I can't speak on behalf of the team, but for myself I will definitely use this experience as motivation to make sure and try this never happens in my career.
Like all the players who spoke after the loss, Bazunu says he still has full confidence in the manager going forward. He knows Kenny well having worked together at U21 level where both thrived.
It was a big vote of confidence to throw the Rochdale player right in at the deep end.
He was the first teenager to feature in UEFA World Cup qualifying game for any nation since 2012, hinting at the type of talent he may well turn out to be.
It may have been a tad harsh on Mark Travers who had struggled on his own competitive debut earlier in the week, but it's fair to say the decision was justified in the end.
Bazunu revealed that Travers had been supportive of him even after learning he had been dropped, with the goalkeeping team in this squad a tight knit unit. He also explained how his loan move from Manchester City to Rochdale has ensured his game has progressed rapidly over the last few months.
Dean Kiely had spoken to myself, Kieran O'Hara and Mark Travers before the Serbia game and said that no matter what happens, we're going to stick together as a group. I 100 per cent feel it was that way.
I hope Mark felt that I was able to give him comfort going into his game and 100 per cent felt that coming from Kieran, Mark, and Dean Kiely. I felt that full backing of the goalkeepers and it's a really good group to work with...
I feel it was the right decision to go out to a club like Rochdale where I'm getting tested every week. They are a great group of lads, but on a personal note I am getting so many different challenges in games that I am able to take experience from.
Those different experiences, and the fact that I'm playing week in week out in two games a week most of the time, is just allowing me to come on in leaps and bounds in my development.
Bazunu looks likely to start against Qatar on Tuesday night where he will be hoping to strengthen his claim for the number one jersey moving forward.
SEE ALSO: 'Rock Bottom' - Roy Keane's Take On Ireland's Luxembourg Defeat
