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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Robert Hynes

Embarrassing error spotted in Ireland v Ukraine match programme

An embarrassing error was spotted in the match programme for the Republic of Ireland's Nations League clash with Ukraine on Wednesday.

The match came just days after Stephen Kenny's side suffered a 1-0 defeat away to Armenia in Yerevan, with a 74th minute strike from Eduard Spertsyan giving ths hosts a surprise win.

But according to the programme for Wednesday's match the Boys in Green had a "positive result, and performance," against Armenia.

The piece added that it "was just the start Kenny could have asked for".

One can only guess that the programme went to print before last Saturday's Nations League opener.

Ireland suffered their second 1-0 defeat in as many games against Ukraine as a Viktor Tsygankov goal early in the second half gave the visitors victory in Dublin.

The result leaves Ireland bottom of their Nations League group and extends their winless run in the competition to 12 games.

Speaking after the game, Kenny said: “I’m just raging that we didn’t get one win in the two narrow games. We had built momentum and belief, but this has set us back.

“We’re hurting at the moment and we don’t have time for that, because of the quick turnaround.”

Kenny had wanted to top the Nations League group, but refuses to accept that Ireland are in a relegation battle to League C.

“No, I don't think so,” he said. “We have 12 points to play for so it’s premature to say that.

“There are points to be won and that’s our intention.

“We could have four points but we don’t but we don’t want to get into the habit of losing matches like we did the last couple.”

Ireland were second best for the second game running and failed to work a Ukraine side showing 10 changes from their World Cup playoff defeat to Wales.

“That’s two games that hung in the balance,” said Kenny. “We didn’t deserve to lose to Armenia and tonight was a game that we started well and finished strong.

“The game was very stretched with not many chances for either team. We didn’t consistently pass the ball well in the match.

“And their goal is a fluke. A free-kick that takes a massive jump off the ball and goes into the net.

“We didn’t create loads of chances but neither did they. It was a very even game and we just came out on the wrong side of it.

Asked how he can turn the fine margins into Ireland’s favour, Kenny said: “Getting that first goal is critical.

“In the game on Saturday we had quite a few chances to get the first goal but couldn’t get it. Tonight, less so.

“The selection of our passes has to be a little bit better, and the crosses.

“But the front three played well. Jason Knight was exceptional for periods, Chiedozie Ogbene was a threat and Callum Robinson linked the play.

“But we went direct too often for my liking, and we have to address that.”

Kenny continued: “I can’t fault the players. They left everything out there and gave everything of themselves

“I told them before that it wasn’t enough to give 100% and that you have to extract every ounce of yourself in pursuit of the result. But we came out the wrong side.

“We have to bounce back and dust ourselves down.”

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