Jeff Hendrick handed Mick McCarthy a winning start to his second spell in charge as the Republic of Ireland launched their Euro 2020 campaign with a narrow victory in Gibraltar. Hendrick's first international goal since September 2016 ultimately settled a tight encounter fought out on a plastic pitch in swirling winds at the Victoria Stadium in front of the man who famously took the nation to the 2002 World Cup finals.
However, there was an ill wind blowing in from Dublin as the controversial FAI chief executive, John Delaney, stepped aside from his role, 10 days before he was due to appear before an parliamentary committee over a €100,000 loan provided to the governing body. Delaney will remain in the association he has led since 2005 in a new role of executive vice-president. Rea Walshe, who was promoted to the role of chief operation officer a month ago, was named interim chief executive.