It was a night that ended the international football calendar year, and for Stephen Kenny, Ireland v New Zealand will surely be remembered as his final time managing Ireland.
A damp squib and dour result on a cold night in a half empty stadium. The Kenny era started with wild optimism but will end with the proverbial whimper.
As difficult as these matches are to watch as Ireland supporters, imagine being the Ireland manager? This was the one job all Irish football men aspired to. Stephen Kenny overcame huge odds to earn the role. Imagine the bitter taste in his mouth when he relives those matches. The Luxembourg loss. Hampden. Greece home and away.
That Stephen Kenny is a thoroughly decent human being has never been in doubt. And because of that very decency, it's been painful to watch him these past few months face the cameras and try to put a gloss on very poor results.
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Stephen Kenny's emotional interview after New Zealand game
Kenny spoke to Tony O'Donoghue after Ireland's draw on Tuesday night. Kenny said the dressing room had been an emotional place today as he battled back tears at numerous points in the interview.
It could very well be my last match. I think that's been well-documented. If it is then so be it because I've had the privilege of managing my country. It's been a huge privilege to watch this group grow. When you see the depth of talent in the group, I think they're capable of having a really strong Nations League qualifying group in Group B, when they're not playing the elite teams like France and Holland.
Asked if he expected the FAI entrust him with the next stage of Ireland's development, Kenny was under no illusions.
There may not be the appetite for that. And I respect that because sport is ruthless. It's international management. People are getting impatient and I understand that because you want to qualify for tournaments and I wanted to qualify. We all want to qualify.
It's been an amazing journey force with the under 21 team and the last three years with the senior team, it's been a great privilege.
He also maintained his dignity when he refused to throw any shade at the FAI for their decision to let him run down the clock on his final days as Ireland manager. His future won't be officially decided until a board meeting next Tuesday.
Asked if he feels put in an awkward position, Stephen Kenny said,
"That's the way it is. I have no complaints about that.
You can watch the full interview with O'Donoghue below.
'There may not be the appetite'
Stephen Kenny admits that the FAI might be set to look elsewhere ahead of Ireland's next game in 2024
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Kenny took on an impossible job and the scale of the task ultimately proved too much for him. As Stephen Kenny said in his own post-match interview with O'Donoghue, the squad has been restored.
History will be kind to Stephen Kenny. It will surely be someone else's job to build something with that squad.
