The struggles for all Ireland managers are real but those who live here deal with the suffocating nature of the world of Irish football.
In international football, only a change of manager can cater to the football supporter who wants his whims and fantasies catered for and cares nothing for reality.
International football is embraced by so many because of the power it holds over so many and it's why it can always be hijacked by a politician looking for a headline.
The FAI are embarked on a process of change but they continue to attract unwelcome headlines. Maybe that doesn't matter if they can get the fundamentals right.
The response to Cristiano Ronaldo's first football match in Dublin since 2009 underlined how little Irish football fans usually have to get excited about and why Stephen Kenny's mission to change must be all encompassing.
Stephen Kenny has no option but to take the approach he has. He may not get the rewards for it but it is essential for the future of football in the country.
There was plenty to be encouraged by in Ireland's performance against Portugal, but the mistakes that contributed to defeat must be eliminated.
The FAI's ace card is that it represents Irish football and no lender would dare seize the home of the national football team and it would be a brave politician that allowed it to happen.
Andy Reid was exiled under Giovanni Trapattoni. Now that he's a coach, he says there's nothing to be afraid of as he talks Trap, Brian Kerr, Stephen Kenny and Naomi Osaka.
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