We're back underway in Andorra. We don't think it's an understatement to say this is a massive 45 minutes for Stephen Kenny.

BBC Radio Ulster

You can listen to build-up of the game from 18:45 BST on BBC Radio Foyle Digital and BBC Sounds. Commentators Michael McNamee and John O'Neill will be alongside former NI duo Keith Gillespie and Gail Redmond.

Click the play button at the top of this page to listen in.

Well that's a half that will not live long in too many people's memory.

A James Collins miss late in the half - when he failed to connect with a free header - was the only real moment of excitement.

The match has meaningless, end-of-season friendly written all over it, except it will be far from meaningless for Stephen Kenny and his men if they don't find a breakthrough and get the first victory of the manager's reign.

A big half-time team talk is required by a boss who will be desperate for his winless start not to stretch to 12 matches.

They've nothing to show for it yet, but the last seven or eight minutes have finally seen the Republic build up some momentum.

They've kept the ball, pinned Andorra back and created one or two chances - the best being that one that Collins should have scored a few minutes ago.

That's a bad miss.

James Collins found himself in space at the back post but didn't connect with his header properly at all and his effort drifts wide.

Best chance of the match so far by a mile.

That's half an hour played and there have been few signs that the Republic are going to make the breakthrough that they really need.

Andorra are working hard and you have to wonder how long they can keep that up for, but the visitors will definitely be wanting to move up a gear or two. And soon.

This very much has the look and feel of an international friendly being played at the end of the season in a stadium with only a scattering of supporters.

Troy Parrott has looked lively up front and James McClean is as willing to get up and down the left flank as ever, but apart from that there has not been much for Republic boss Stephen Kenny to get excited about.

Dara O'Shea loops a header from a Conor Hourihane free-kick well over. Not sure if he was trying to flick it on or go for goal - neither worked though.

It hasn't exactly been a resounding opening from the visitors, though they have yet to be threatened by their hosts.

A deep cross from James McClean is met at the back post by Troy Parrot but his shot is blocked.

Ten minutes played and it's all been a bit flat so far from the Republic.

Early days, though.

Andorra goalkeeper Iker has an extra incentive to impress tonight - his dad is Koldo Alvarez, the team's manager!

Wonder is the 19-year-old on penalties, corners and throw-ins as well.....

It's the visitors who get us underway.

They need a win here - and they know it.

Will it be 12th-time lucky for Stephen Kenny this evening?

Republic of Ireland midfielder Josh Cullen works under Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht and has given a glowing verdict of the former Manchester City defender.

"As a manager, he's been brilliant, to be honest," said Cullen.

"To work with him every day, the amount of depth he goes into with preparation, not only for games but for training sessions and how clear he is to us as players about the role he wants to us to take up within the team system, it's fantastic.

"Every day, he's hands-on in training, his coaching is brilliant and that comes from his knowledge of the game, the teams he has played in, the managers he's worked under as well."

Stephen Kenny has been speaking to RTE in the build-up to kick-off...

Stephen Kenny has resisted the temptation to hand full debuts to the uncapped contingent in his squad with what is a XI that boasts an intriguing blend of youth and experience.

Stand-in captain John Egan partners Dara O'Shea in defence with Matt Doherty and James McClean selected at full-back, while Josh Cullen, Conor Hourihane and Jason Knight make up an attack-minded midfield.

Troy Parrott starts for the first time under Kenny having excelled for the coach at Under-21 level with the Dublin teenager joined in attack by Portsmouth's Ronan Curtis and James Collins, who last month left Luton Town to link up with former Republic boss Mick McCarthy - who gave the striker his international debut in 2019 - at Cardiff City.

Andorra: Iker, San Nicolas, Vales, Llovera, Cervos, Clemente, Rebes, Vieira (capt), A Martinez, Alaez, Fernandez.

Subs: Gomes, Pires, C Martinez, Alavedra, Ildefons Lima, Pujol, Sanchez, Moreno, Marc Garcia, Victor Bernat, De Pablos, Garcia.

Republic of Ireland: Bazunu, Doherty, O'Shea, Egan (capt), McClean, Cullen, Hourihane, Knight, Parrott, Curtis, Collins.

Subs: Kelleher, Travers, Manning, Duffy, Idah, Arter, Horgan, Molumby, McGrath, Mandroiu, Ogbene, O'Connor.

Image source, BBC Sport

During Wednesday's pre-match press conference, Conor Hourihane spoke of a desire for the Republic of Ireland to get "that monkey off our back".

He was, of course, alluding to the fact that they have yet to win in 11 games under Stephen Kenny's tutelage.

And while victory in this evening's friendly against Andorra will do nothing to resurrect fading Irish hopes of reaching next year's World Cup, it would mark a significant checkpoint in the Kenny era and put a stop to questions about why his players have yet to deliver a win.

Of course, it wouldn't be a June friendly without a squad bearing the signs of wear and tear from a gruelling club campaign as Kenny is without several of his established players.

That has, however, opened the door for some new arrivals, with four uncapped players - Caoimhin Kelleher, Jamie McGrath, Danny Mandroiu and Chiedozie Ogbene - named in today's 24-man matchday squad.

While the Republic do not have a Euros campaign to look forward to, this friendly double-header (with Hungary to come on Tuesday) should provide Kenny with plenty of food for thought as he plans for September's crucial World Cup qualifying triple-bill against Portugal, Azerbaijan and Serbia.

First things first: seeing off an Andorra side who have lost their last seven, conceding 25 goals in the process.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images