Seamus Coleman did not feature in either of Stephen Kenny's two games in charge, however, the captain’s absence now appears a real conundrum for the manager ahead of Thursday’s Euro 2020 play-off in Slovakia.
The Everton defender spent both UEFA Nations League matches against Bulgaria and Finland on the bench as the new man in charge opted for a 4-4-2 formation with Matt Doherty playing in the right-back position.
However, the manager assessed the opening two games of his tenure and declared two interesting things of note: the defence lacked cohesion and that he was not wedded to any particular system.
Meanwhile, Coleman maintained his role as captain and as the countdown to the Bratislava clash got closer, the more it looked as though the former Sligo Rovers defender would start this all-important encounter.
Kenny was more specific last week, stating that he believed both Doherty and Coleman could play in the same side, before adding on Sunday that "there was a strong consideration to consider both in the team".
"But obviously that's not available now," added Kenny, as the player's scan results winged their way across the Irish Sea on Sunday morning.
In the empty environs of the Aviva Stadium during the Finland match, the players could be clearly heard throughout the encounter in the behind-closed-doors game.
And while goalkeeper Darren Randolph was the most vocal, the manager does not feel that there is an issue in communication, and believes that the cohesion, that Coleman would certainly have added, will develop as a result of the experience within that defensive unit.
"I don’t think we have to be more vocal [in defence], I don’t think that is an issue at all," said Kenny. "We have a lot of experience in the back four and Darren Randolph in goal.
"We just have to make sure that we are not caught square as we were once or twice in the game and make sure that we have ample cover. And that is something that we have to get right.
"The majority of the players are between 28 and 32 so we have a lot of experience in the group so I don’t see leadership as a problem.
"We have to assume responsibility in different departments and that is very important in the game."
Preparations for the match in Slovakia will be curtailed as a result of half the squad playing on Sunday rather than Saturday, while the trip to Slovakia will also cause disruptions on Tuesday.
But Kenny is confident that his side will be fully briefed and know their roles by the time kick-off comes around on Thursday evening in Bratislava, as the team will still get to train on Tuesday before flying out from Dublin airport.
"It is a short build-up, that’s the nature of it. Sometimes one or two players are playing on a Sunday and it is unusual that there are 11 playing today. Monday becomes a very staggered training day with players who played Saturday and a few who have not played much at all.
"Tuesday becomes a critical training day and we fly on Tuesday. So there is not much time to prepare, but that is not an excuse.
"We need to adapt. That’s the situation that we are in and we are not complaining about that. We will have clear instruction and there will be no grey areas of what is expected of anyone.
"There are challenges but we have to adapt, and we will adapt."
"Horses for courses" is a term synonymous with Irish sport, generally referring to the quest of getting a result by any means necessary.
In relation to the Irish football team, it is more often than not seen as employing negative tactics against perceived superior opposition.
So it was no wonder that the manager, with his new approach to the game, rebuffed the suggestion that it would be "horses for courses" in this must-win match in Slovakia.
"You have to adapt your team to certain situations, but we will approach the game in a positive frame of mind and we are unlikely to be cautious," said Kenny.
"We have to be positive in our approach, and not reactive."
Kenny is expecting an intriguing battle between two footballing sides and appears quite confident that he will be able to match Slovakia in the possession stakes – a side that normally commands 65 per cent of the play, according to the manager.
"It’s a tough game, away to Slovakia. They have good home form and are a very consistent and experienced team.
"Slovakia are a possession-based team who like to control games, it will be two teams trying to win the game and it will be an intriguing battle," said Kenny.
The concept of home advantage has been questioned throughout these Covid times, while statistics are suggesting that more goals are being scored at games played in front of no crowds.
Kenny was not getting drawn into that particular "deep question" posed during the press conference, however, he did feel that there was still an advantage to playing a match where you are familiar with the surroundings, while not having to travel to a foreign country.
"We would rather be at home than away. People are happy with their familiar surroundings and not having to travel. But it does mitigate [home advantage] somewhat and it needs to be considered.
In relation to goals per game, Kenny pondered that "it becomes relevant" if it affects his side.
However, he added: "It doesn’t really change us. It’s our ambition to try to control games. Slovakia have 65% possession in most games, so that will be a challenge.
"Does the crowd affect a striker finishing or a defender defending? I’m not really focusing on that. We have a job to do.
"We don’t want to let other factors permeate the way we are thinking or interrupt our thought process. We just want to focus on the job that we have to do and hopefully we can do that."
Kenny does feel that the play-off will prove the perfect platform for his players to showcase their talents and seize the opportunity as they attempt to qualify for next summer’s Euros, which are set to be co-hosted in Dublin.
And the manager hopes that his side can really lift the country ahead of those championships in what could really be a unique occasion next summer, with the possibility of Ireland playing home matches in a major tournament.
"But it’s a tremendous opportunity for us. We know the possibility of playing the European championships in Ireland is unique. It has never happened before and may never happen again.
"That sort of motivation to lift the country would be an incredible experience for the whole country.
"But we are a long way away from that as it is only a semi-final. We have to do something extraordinary and win away from home again and we’ll be planning with everything we have to achieve that."
