Fans divided but the green shoots of new era are visible
COMMENT
WITH Finland docking by the Dodder tomorrow (5.0) for the next round of the Nations League, there is little time for a forensic analysis of the Republic of Ireland’s performance in Sofia on Thursday night.
On social media, observers and fans were divided between hailing an Irish team which caressed the ball and majored in possession to those who felt the build-up play was pedestrian with few punches landed in the Bulgaria box.
You pays your money and takes your choice, as the saying goes.
For those gushing over Stephen Kenny’s bold selection, his preference for youth and the emphasis on a passing game, Ireland needed a dead ball delivery from a substitute, Robbie Brady, and another late header from Shane Duffy to salvage a point in a drab 1-1 draw.
It’s the route-one set-piece stuff which Irish teams have fed off for years, and its value can’t be underestimated, even for those who champion a ball-to-feet flowing style.
Duffy’s noggin secured a goal, and a point, away from home, and gave Ireland a much-needed lift just as the Kenny revolution was heading for an inauspicious start.
From afar, Ireland appeared in fine fettle in the first half, bossing the ball, which is rare away from home, and creating a half chance or two, before running out of juice once Bulgaria were presented with the sort of goal that drives managers mad.
For a team that relies heavily on
IT evaluation, the goal won’t be pleasant viewing for Conor Hourihane, Duffy or John Egan.
That goal sapped energy and self-belief out of the dark green shirts and it needed a lively cameo from Brady to rescue a situation that seemed lost.
The excuse that the Irish players were leggy is lame as it was the same for Bulgaria, who will be kicking themselves at being undone in the final seconds. Imagine if Ireland had conceded a goal like that? Darren Randolph would have been asked to explain himself as would the missing fullback on the post.
Overall, there were a few green shoots of recovery in the Sofia sweathouse. Not many, but a few.
Aaron Connolly was Ireland’s liveliest player, darting about like a moth in the floodlights.
He has pace, trickery and a combative edge to him that defenders dislike and he came closest to a goal from open play when he picked a Bulgarian pocket, only to shoot wide. When Ireland fell behind, he continued to pose a threat.
While Connolly can play down the middle, he thrives on the left wing, where he can run at defenders, either on the outside or the inside. A first senior goal is imminent and may come tomorrow.
His emergence signals the end of James McClean’s automatic selection on the left flank but it would be churlish to write McClean off yet. At 31, he has much to offer and is the sort of fella who rattles defenders and lifts the mood.
On the right flank, Ireland have been searching for a Ray Houghton clone for over 20 years. Under Kenny, Callum O’Dowda has been given a second chance in the role after Martin O’Neill tried him there once or twice.
O’Dowda has ability on the ball as was evident with one or two decent dribbles in the first half. He needs to deliver an end product, and also a goal.
While most of his 19 appearances have come as a substitute, he’s yet to hit the onion sack. Like a few others, he ran out of pep after the break.
Thrown in at the deep end at 19, Adam Idah didn’t cower. He showed for every ball, and took a few clatters.
He’s got all the physical attributes to be a success but for the moment is a work in progress and has yet to reach the link-play levels of David McGoldrick.
Of the substitutes, Brady made the most impact, and not just because he won the crucial corner from which Ireland scored right at the death.
He looked lean and mobile and must be pushing for a start tomorrow, even if a 20-minute cameo when players are tiring is different to starting a game.
The back five, in which Kenny places so much faith, have had better nights. They nodded off in the first half to allow Bulgaria’s captain, Petar Zanev, a free header, while the goal was a calamity. Basic schoolboy stuff.
Matt Doherty, who is now ahead of Seamus Coleman at right-back,
‘There were a few signs of recovery in Bulgaria’
didn’t do a lot wrong and looked to get forward, especially in the first half. But when Ireland were a goal down, Coleman’s leadership and presence was, I felt, missed.
At left-back, Enda Stevens endured a difficult evening. He was closest to Zanev for Bulgaria’s 10th minute chance, then shipped a needless yellow card, and gave away a free close to the Irish box early in the second half. He knows he can do better.
The return of James McCarthy after a four-year break was welcome. He can offer more than he showed in terms of getting on the ball and initiating attacks.
For all the pre-match build-up about his integration into the ranks and what was expected of him, he was the first player withdrawn.
Jeff Hendrick got through a fair amount of endeavour but there is a sense he needs to take on players and get into the box more. His best work is too deep to hurt opponents.
Hourihane’s left peg is a thing of beauty when it comes to getting in frees and crosses but his short game, like that of a golfer, lacks refinement. His giveaway pass which led to the Bulgarian goal would have given Trap apoplexy.
A three-day turnaround is tight and Kenny will be torn between building a team he can trust, and resting weary limbs. McGoldrick and Brady are realistic options for the empty Aviva tomorrow , while Jayson Molumby is pushing for a first cap in midfield.