There are no easy games in international football nowadays. Except for this one.
David Forde – He could have got himself the paper and spent the match propped up against the post, doing the crossword, whistling, and still kept a clean sheet. Produced one fine save in the second half, testament to his powers of concentration. 7.
David Meyler – With Ireland spending most of their time camped out in the opposition half, Meyler had little to do from an unfamiliar right-back spot. He was tidy. No funny business. 7.
John O’Shea – Just one game from the century, let’s hope he sets any complacency aside at the final whistle, with next Tuesday in mind. That shouldn’t be a problem though. As Liam Brady said at half-time, it’s hard to judge the contribution of any of Ireland’s defensive players as they were under no pressure at all. 7.
Marc Wilson – Pinged a few balls out of play while trying to play the Hollywood pass. Gave away a corner from which Gibraltar nearly scored. Got turned by his man as Gibraltar pressed with six minutes to go. Poor overall. 5.
Stephen Ward – Barely noticed him. He was assured, composed, all of that, but it wasn’t tough for him. 7.
Aiden McGeady – Excellent. Exploited the space given to him by the Gibraltar defence with some fine trickery and was at the centre of Ireland’s best play. Linked up particularly well with Robbie Keane. Quieter in the second half but nothing else needed to be done. 8.
Jeff Hendrick – Tidy. The Derby player might not get too much of a look-in once James McCarthy returns but he looks like a very useful player. It’s easy to forget that he’s just 22 and still has plenty of time to become essential. 7.
Darron Gibson – Decent. Didn’t seem to be on the ball as much as Hendrick beside him, but moved forward with a lot of purpose. Unlucky to see his free-kick ruled out at the start of the second half. 7.
James McClean – Not as easy on the eye as McGeady, a point made by Kenny Cunningham at half-time, he had a comfortable game against inferior opposition and got on the scoresheet twice. He’s never reached the heights of his early Sunderland form and struggles to get a game at Wigan, but that hardly mattered this evening. Loses a mark for trying to tee up Gibson when he could have had a go himself. 8.
Wes Hoolahan – Magic. It’s a shame he isn’t ten years younger and ten yards faster, because Hoolahan is an exceptional footballer. Started all of Ireland’s best moves, he was excellent. 9.
Robbie Keane – Took all of his goals so well and even turned provider for McClean when a shot wasn’t on. He was at the centre of all of Ireland’s best attacking moves before being replaced. Classy stuff in a week when his namesake stole a lot of the limelight. 9.
Subs:
Daryl Murphy – Had space when he came on but never made the most of it.
Kevin Doyle – Barely noticed him, as the game wound down.
Robbie Brady – A nice little jog for the Hull man, who almost set up McGeady in the closing stages.
