Stephen Kenny believes that every game that Ukraine play is keeping their country's plight at the forefront of the world news headlines.
Defending a Russian invasion since February, the war-torn country and their team have more important things on their minds that an away Nations League game in Dublin, and while they enjoyed a brief respite beating Scotland last week, Wales ended their World Cup hopes with victory in Cardiff on Sunday.
Yet the international football calendar continues to churn and while the team would probably prefer to take time to spend their summer break with loved ones, wherever they may now reside, they will also feel that they are doing their bit for the nation by continuing to fly the flag in times of trouble.
"It is a very unusual game," said Kenny, speaking at the pre-match press conference.
"The Ukrainian players, and the coaches, and all the staff, have been great ambassadors for their country amidst the chaos of their lives and their compatriots really, and the thousands who have lost their lives.
"By continuing to play, they are keeping it at the forefront of whatever country they’re playing, within the media, within the European media because obviously there are features across Europe on the Ukrainian team and their contribution and how they played so forth in the games and it keeps the discussion very much in the news."
Ireland centre-half Shane Duffy was also in attendance at the press briefing, and the Brighton defender echoed his manager’s sentiments, paying respect to the Ukraine players for maintaining their professional attitude throughout the ongoing conflict.
"It’s really emotional for all of them and they should be really proud of how they handed themselves, especially in the last two games, carrying their country," said Duffy. "And I think everyone was willing them to try and get to a World Cup.
"I think they can be really proud of themselves and hold their heads up really high and keep going.
"We know it’s a really emotional times for everyone there so it will be a special game and one we’re all really looking forward to."
Duffy could be in line to captain the Ireland team in Wednesday night's encounter at the Aviva Stadium as Seamus Coleman has been ruled out of the game through injury.
The Ireland skipper hobbled off in the second half against Armenia on Saturday and the manager confirmed that he was missing the game as a result of a groin issue.
Kenny also confirmed the reason that regular goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu had returned to his club, missing out on the remaining games due to a small rib fracture.
"Seamus Coleman is ruled out through injury," said Kenny. "He has a groin pubis injury so he’s ruled out of game."
"We’ll have to see," said the manager, when asked whether Coleman was out of all three games, with Scotland coming to Dublin on Saturday and Ireland heading to Poland for the return game against Ukraine on Tuesday.
"There’s no guarantees he’ll feature in the other two games. We’ll have to see how it settles and make a decision on that later in the week. Hopefully he’ll be involved but its too early to say.
"Gavin Bazunu has left the camp. He just had a minor rib fracture, a very minor rib fracture."
Kenny was asked whether Will Smallbone was in line to be drafted from the Under-21s following a couple of excellent performances for Jim Crawford’s side.
"I must say he’s had a tough time, Will, with an unfortunate cruciate ligament injury, and one or two other injuries," said Kenny about the Southampton prospect.
"I would love to see him get a run of games because he definitely was exceptional yesterday.
"It was great to see that, he will obviously go and play in Italy next week for the Under-21s, but he definitely has a future with the senior international team if he continues in that vein of form."
The squad, of course, have returned to Dublin following a long-haul round trip to Armenia, where Ireland were shocked by the home side, losing 1-0 in Yerevan.
A long trip, and an even longer one while attempting to digest a disappointing performance and result admitted the manager, who added that he fully expected to be criticised following such a situation.
"It was a long trip, but longer when you lose, for sure," said Kenny.
"But I think that's the nature of this game. You get your kick in the teeth and you got to dust yourself down quickly and go again.
"Obviously, we analysed the game, we debriefed, we moved on quickly, we are preparing for Ukraine, which is a completely different challenge tactically. Completely different.
"So we got to switch on quickly and make sure we are ready. It's a home crowd and since the crowds have been back we have had full houses for Portugal and Belgium, amazing games of football when the crowd were tremendous, so hopefully there will be more of that tomorrow night.
"When you lose to Armenia you have to accept criticism, so I wasn't surprised by that."
