The Republic of Ireland embark upon a face-saving mission in Faro on Monday evening when they attempt to secure just a second Euro 2024 qualifier victory at the seventh time of asking. Anything but a comfortable win over Group B minnows Gibraltar, the only team Stephen Kenny’s men have beaten to date during a desperately disappointing campaign, would invite derision with automatic qualification gone and a play-off place an unlikely source of salvation. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the talking points surrounding the game at the Estadio Algarve. The end is nigh Stephen Kenny launched his reign as Ireland manager on twin promises to overhaul an ageing squad and play a more exciting brand of football. He has delivered the former and achieved only partial success with the latter. Unfortunately for him, any progress has not been translated into results and as he heads into what seems certain to be his penultimate competitive game, he has won only five of the 27 which have preceded it. So near, so Faro While the Republic of Ireland’s last away game against Gibraltar – a 1-0 Euro 2020 qualifier win at the Victoria Stadium in March 2019 – was played on the rock itself, the sides have met previously at the Estadio Algarve. Robbie Keane’s double and goals from Cyrus Christie and Shane Long secured a 4-0 Euro 2016 qualifier victory in September 2015. However, their most recent visit to the stadium in September 2021 had a nasty twist in the tail when Cristiano Ronaldo’s last-gasp double overhauled John Egan’s header to hand Portugal a 2-1 World Cup qualifier win. Fergie time? Ireland hope they have found a new talisman for years to come in the shape of 18-year-old Brighton striker Evan Ferguson. The teenager was left painfully isolated for long periods against Greece after hitting the post early on, and he will hope for better service as he attempts to add to his two senior international goals – the last of them against Gibraltar – in seven appearances to date against a significantly more porous defence. Winging it Celtic winger Mikey Johnston has not kicked a ball in anger for his club yet this season after being laid low by a back injury during the summer. Kenny threw him on for the last 20 minutes against the Greeks in an effort to add creativity to his labouring side and, while he remains short of match fitness, Monday’s game could be the perfect opportunity for him to launch his season. The Republic lacked inspiration on Friday evening and Johnston provided just that in a second-half cameo in the reverse fixture, in which he scored the opening goal in a 3-0 win. No points, no goals In many respects, Ireland could not have chosen a better opponent for a game they simply have to win. Gibraltar have lost their last seven – a run culminating in Wednesday night’s 4-0 friendly defeat in Wales – without scoring and have conceded a total of 17 goals and collected no points in their five Group B fixtures to date. They last found the back of the net in a 1-0 friendly victory over Andorra in November. Read More Triumphant Wigan boss Matt Peet aims to emulate coaching heroes Dan Biggar confident future is bright for Wales as Test career draws to end England captain Jos Buttler says Afghanistan defeat ‘tough loss to take’ England’s World Cup hopes in jeopardy after shock Afghanistan defeat England’s shock World Cup defeats as Afghanistan add their name to list Harvey Elliott believes Jordan Henderson deserves better from England fans

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It was gone midnight when Tommy Fury and KSI wrestled their way through six truly ugly rounds to end the night in Manchester on Saturday. Fury got the nod over KSi, nearly 20,000 traipsed away in the rain and the journey of boxing’s so-called “crossover” fighters continues. The night was a sell-out, the pay-per-view numbers on DAZN will be impressive, but the reality is that the stars of the circuit, which operates under the promotional name of Misfits, are novices. And, they will never get any better. The men and women under the Misfits canopy might want to fight, but they are so far short of grade that their fights are just boring to watch for traditional boxing fans. They are, mostly, harmless, but the limitations of the men and women involved mean that action happens by mistake and not design. They have the moves, but not the technique; it is style over content. The crowd did actually boo and hiss quite a few times during Saturday’s ten-fight bill when there was no action. Sure, there is a grand pantomime element at play. Also on Saturday, several fights went on too long and the referees were guilty of putting the health of the boxers at risk. The men behind Misfits, including KSI, must take a long, hard look at the poor and dangerous refereeing. It was a brutal reminder, in the middle of the slapstick, that this unforgiving sport too often ends in death or serious injury. It has to be said that in most ways, Misfits run their business smoothly; they have top safety protocols, the shows are slick and they have a lot more transparency than the promoters operating under British Boxing Board of Control licences. The men behind Misfits are not here to take over, they are just doing their extravagant thing in their lane. The fighters from the Misfits circuit are not going to end boxing as we know, relax. So, the truth is that Fury v KSI, which was for the Misfits World Cruiserweight title, was a bad fight; two raw novices, holding, missing, swinging and both fully neglecting some of boxing’s most basic but essential principles. Obviously, the capacity crowd loved every second of it. They would both benefit from learning the most basic of basics again; had either thrown a jab, they would have won easily. Fury should know better and will be disappointed with his performance. The fans kept up their roar, screaming as Fury missed wildly and screaming louder if Fury hit and held. However, the loudest noise was for KSI, who has a combined total of just over 22 million followers on social media. When the boxers are introduced, their name, their weight, their city and then their total social media reach is given. It was a hard night for the iconic Michael Buffer. Fury won for the 10th time and his previous nine fights were all under the rules and regulations of a recognised and respected governing body; the fight on Saturday was a blatant and understandable cash grab on a circuit outside of boxing’s jurisdiction. It is, let’s be honest, a long way back to regular boxing for Fury, who was on Love Island before following the family tradition and taking up the noble art. On the Misfits circuit, Fury is the enviable champ and is highly paid, but in real boxing he is Tyson’s little brother and the son of John. In real boxing, little Tommy is just a novice, not an adored, multi-millionaire world champion. KSI created and owns Misfits and is at the very heart of the crossover boxing scene; he was unbeaten in six before the maul with Fury. In the fiery aftermath, KSI called for an investigation into the sanctioning body about the decision. It was finally a touch of humour - KSI set the body up! In the fight before Fury’s win, there was a riot and ring invasion when a man called Dillon Danis (four million followers on social media) tried to choke Logan Paul (33 million on social media). It was chaotic and predictable. Danis and Paul hate each other in real life - whatever that is for them. Paul won by sixth-round disqualification. Incidentally, Paul and KSI own Prime, the drink. The carnival will continue, there is no revolution, it’s just a bunch of high-profile dreamers in novice scraps. And Tommy Fury is their new king. Read More KSI vs Tommy Fury prize money: How much did the fighters earn? KSI vs Tommy Fury scorecards reveal major error in decision victory Jake Paul immediately mocks KSI after defeat to Tommy Fury KSI may have lost to Tommy Fury, but he’s winning where it really matters Tommy Fury claims points victory over YouTube star KSI Who is Dillon Danis: Logan Paul’s opponent who threatened to cancel fight?

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