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10th October 2022
01:28pm BST

The national team have won just four of their 21 competitive games under Kenny.
There have been some encouraging signs, but France and the Netherlands can select from a significantly more talented pool of footballers.
Almost all of their players are operating at a higher level than their Irish counterparts. Ireland appear to be in a two-way fight with Greece to finish third.
In truth, Kenny's team are paying the price for their poor performance in the Uefa Nations League, which directly impacts the seeding for the Euro 2024 qualification groups.
But there may still be a back door route for Ireland to get a play-off place if they cannot topple France or Holland.
https://twitter.com/FAIreland/status/1579100971686305797
So, for example, if every team from League A qualifies automatically, their play-off places will be filled by the best-ranked teams from League B who have not qualified for Euro 2024. Ireland are ranked 26th overall in the Nations League, and 10th in League B.
So, Ireland's chances of getting a play-off place will be increased by the teams ranked above them qualifying directly for the tournament. The more of these sides that finish in the top two of their groups, the better for Ireland.
If, for example, the top two seeded teams from each qualification group qualified directly for the tournament, then Ireland would get a play-off spot.
The play-off tournament will be a one-leg semi-final and final. (And, again, the places are decided by Nations League rankings - so Ireland could, in theory, finish bottom of their qualification group and end up in the play-offs).
However, even if Ireland reach the play-offs, their record in such matches is poor. So, no matter which route they take to Euro 2024, Kenny's must greatly improve their results.
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