Comment: Robbie's farewell conceals the urgency of change for Ireland

Keane's departure comes ahead of a pivotal spell in O'Neill's tenure, writes Emmet Ryan

Keane's exit comes as Ireland faces a new challenge Pic: Getty

Oman are, by any objective measure, not great at football. The Sultanate's footballers already exited qualification for the 2018 World Cup, defeats to Tajikstan and Iran coupled with a draw against Guam ensured Oman's exit back in spring.

'Having never progressed past the group stage of the Asian Cup, and its golden era in the Gulf Cup of the middle to latter part of the last decade looks desperately far back, it's hardly ...