Ireland will bring a disastrous 2023 to a close on Tuesday night, hosting New Zealand in a friendly game at the Aviva Stadium.
James McClean will be making his last international appearances in the match, while it is also expected that we will see Stephen Kenny take charge of the side for the final time.
It will be interesting to see what type of team Kenny will pick as a result, although you would expect some changes to the side that lost to the Netherlands.
With that in mind, here is the side we would go with for the game.
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Ireland team we want to see vs New Zealand
GK: Caoimhín Kelleher
Gavin Bazunu was excellent in Amsterdam, and while we would have no issue with him starting once again in this game, it does seem like a good opportunity to give Caoimhín Kelleher some playing time.
The Cork man has played on a few occasions for Liverpool this season, although giving him another international cap would be no harm in aiding his development moving forward.
RB: Matt Doherty
Matt Doherty was very poor in the loss to the Netherlands, but the injury to Festy Ebosele means that he is likely to continue in this position against New Zealand.
The Wolves man could do with the minutes having been a bit part player at club level this season.
CB: Nathan Collins
Nathan Collins did not produce his best performance last night, looking uncharacteristically shaky at the back.
In saying that, he remains Ireland's most reliable defender and should start this game as the team look to end 2023 on a high.
CB: Dara O'Shea
Dara O'Shea was probably the best of the Irish defenders against the Dutch.
His form at Burnley has been mixed this season, although we would be interested to see how he looked alongside Nathan Collins as part of a centre back pairing.
LB: James McClean
James McClean looks likely to captain Ireland in this game in what will be his final international appearance.
The Derry man has been an exceptional servant to Irish football over the last decade and will receive a warm sendoff at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday evening. It's just unfortunate that his international career is coming to an end in such underwhelming circumstances.
CM: Josh Cullen
Josh Cullen was put in an impossible position during the loss to the Netherlands, essentially being asked to cover the entire middle third by himself as his two midfield partners engaged in a high press. It was no surprise to see him look lost out there as a result.
This switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation would give him a bit of added protection, while you would also expect Ireland to have more of the ball in this game.
CM: Jayson Molumby
Jayson Molumby played well after coming on in Amsterdam, showing the type of passing intent that has sometimes been lacking during his international career.
Playing as part of two sitting midfielders alongside Cullen would suit him in this game.
RM: Andrew Moran
Just play him.
The decision to pull Andrew Moran from the U21 squad only to leave him sitting on the bench last night was a strange one. You'd imagine that the plan is for him to feature at some point on Tuesday night, but there is no reason why he should not play from the start.
While he would start on the right flank in this side, the trio behind the central striker would have the freedom to interchange positionally and roam around the pitch.
CAM: Troy Parrott
Troy Parrott has made a decent start to life in Dutch club football and it would be interesting to see if he can carry that form into the international team.
A role just behind the central striker would suit him, while he could also drift out wide on occasion.
LM: Mikey Johnston
It was disappointing to see Mikey Johnston not be given a start against the Dutch, with the Celtic man impressing once again after coming of the bench.
You would imagine that he would get on a decent amount of ball against New Zealand, with his creativity a major boost for an Ireland team that has struggled to create chances in 2023.
ST: Adam Idah
We are assuming Evan Ferguson will not play in this game, with the Brighton forward carrying a back injury into the camp before experiencing hamstring issue last night.
Adam Idah has been in good form at club level in recent times and is the obvious replacement if Ferguson is not fit. The Norwich City man did okay after coming on in Amsterdam, although he did struggle to stay onside when attempting to break in behind the opposition defence.
The Team In Full
This would make six changes to the side that lost to the Netherlands, with a number of fringe payers coming in alongside the outgoing James McClean.
Despite the absence of Ferguson and Ogbene, that front four is one that has the potential to excite Ireland fans.
Here's hoping the team can end a disastrous year on a high.
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