Goals from Evan Ferguson, Mikey Johnston, Matt Doherty and Callum Robinson saw the Republic of Ireland end a three game losing streak against minnows Gibraltar.

A result that does little to change the outcome of automatic qualification for the Euro's next summer, Ireland remaining down in fourth spot. More of a motivational boost than anything else.

Will this be Stephen Kenny's last game in charge, that question will rumble on, with the thoughts of the Nations League play-offs a potential route to the finals, the November Internationals will tell a lot as to where this side is going.

Against the Group minnows Ireland pressed from the off, Chiedozie Ogbene raced down the right wing and crossed for the area but the effort was too high for Evan Ferguson. Josh Cullen fancied one from range and tried to chip the Gibraltar goalkeeper but Dayle Coleing was put to meet it.

Eight minutes was all it took for Ireland to lead, Ogbene being patient on the right for Matt Doherty to overlap Ogbene fed Doherty to cross into the area and the effort was turned home by Ferguson, his shot bouncing off the surface and into the net.

Possession was predominantly with the Boys In Green, Cullen delivered a dangerous corner into the area which Kian Ronan headed away at the near post. After a host of corners, Shane Duffy came close to finding the net but he failed to set himself to strike and the ball rippled the side netting.

Mikey Johnston came close to making it 2-0 a minute later, using his electric footwork to cut in from the left wing his effort started to dip and Coleing produced a reflex save to tip the effort away.

Johnston would find the net shy of the half hour mark, Ogbene and Doherty again with the combo down the right wing, Doherty crossed to Johnston at the near post, his strike hit the post before the rebound bounced off his knee and landed in the net.

With the score remaining 2-0, the second half was in its infancy when Ogbene crossed for Jamie McGrath, the power was lacking in the cross and McGrath’s header was easily dealt with. Jason Knight had a shot tipped around the post by Coleing, the corner which followed saw Duffy strike an effort that flashed wide of the post.

Johnston almost turned provider in the 51st minute with an inswinging cross that Knight just failed to make contact with. Pressure remained with Ferguson setting up Johnston for a strike that went out for a corner.

Doherty made it three just after the hour mark, a goal that the assist was certainly better than the finish. Ryan Manning’s corner was flicked onto the back post by the heel of Jamie McGrath, Doherty waiting to head home from close range.

Callum Robinson was summoned from the bench as Stephen Kenny rang the changes after the hour mark, he almost made an immediate impact when he raced into the area from the left and Coleing needed to be quick to save.

Inside the final 15 minutes Jayson Molumby, another substitute worked the ball well into the area and when it looked like he would have a chance at goal, McGrath robbed the ball and shot toward goal, Coleing saved and the rebound was struck off the side netting by the ex Dundalk man.

Still in search of a fourth goal, Adam Idah came close but it would arrive in the 82nd minute. McGrath crossed for the near post and Callum Robinson headed home. Following a rather lengthy VAR check the goal was awarded.