Heroes one and all, here’s how we think the Irish players fared on a memorable, memorable night in Tallinn.
By Niall Delaney
Shay Given
Solid, decisive and hungry for work. Came and collected everything and was rarely troubled with shots on target despite an obvious and foolish Estonian policy of shooting on sight from anywhere with 45 yards of the Irish goal.
Rating: 7
Stephen Kelly
Caught out positionally several times in the first half and struggled with the ball at his feet sometimes. One can only dream of Seamus Coleman bombing down the wing from full back. I did say dream, because it will never happen.
Rating: 6
Sean St Ledger
What is it about St Ledger? He’s in and out of a Championship side at Leicester, but he’s turning into a real legend for Ireland. Tough and resilient, he has come on in leaps and bounds. Never gave the Estonians a sniff, not that they would have taken it.
Rating: 8
Richard Dunne
Richard Dunne said put on more Estonians. Trap said there are no more Estonians. Just like in Russia, Dunney was immense.
Rating: 8
Stephen Ward
Grew stronger as the game went on, who wouldn’t? Attacked well and stuck to his defensive duties with aplomb.
Rating: 8
Damien Duff
Duff is like the soccer equivalent of Brian O’Driscoll. Was once savage, now just good, but we’d still want him in our team all day long. If he could shoot as well as he can cross, he’d have been one of the all time greats.
Rating: 7
Glenn Whelan
Should play against 9 men all the time. Poor again.
Rating: 6
Dunney said ‘Put on more Estonians’. Trap said ‘There are no more’.
Keith Andrews
Far better than normal, seems to have more energy than his other poor midfield mucker and showed it tonight. Closed down well and stroked the ball around well bar one shocking stray pass late in the second half.
Rating: 8
Aiden McGeady
He was dangerous and kept at least three Estonians busy whenever he had the ball. However, his delivery was still like that of a drunken postman.
Rating: 7.5
Jon Walters
Sported the best moustache seen in years by an Irish soccer player. That apart, his solid first touch, strength and pace also stood out.
Rating: 7.5
Robbie Keane
For all those who said we’d be better off without him, have some of that! A fine display from our captain who had a colossal influence on the game. Scored two goals and got two hapless Estonians sent off. A rather good evening’s work then.
Rating: 8
Subs:
Stephen Hunt
Hungry and headless in equal measures. The Wolves man, despite winning the penalty, looks short on confidence.
Rating: 6
Keith Fahey
Passed it well, deserves better than Birmingham.
Rating: 7
Simon Cox
Not on long enough to be rated.
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