On Thursday afternoon, Stephen Kenny named a squad for Ireland’s crucial game against France on March 27, which is preceded by a less than crucial friendly against Latvia. Kenny spoke enthusiastically about the evolution of his squad about the presence of players who, in truth, would struggle to be recognised even by the crowd who turn up for the Latvia game. There will, of course, be one exception. Ireland relies on such slim pickings that it is common for the football public to get carried away. “I thought it was Messi or Maradona or Pele who was coming on,” Giovanni…

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