IRISH BACK STOP Defences rule the roost in Dublin as strikers on both
Two simply crucial one-on-one saves prevented another damaging home defeat and was Ireland’s best player.
Early misjudgement almost cost a goal. Then could have scored at the other end but overall an average evening.
Exposed far too many times on his second international appearance and has a lot to prove on this evidence.
Very prominent in defence in the opening period, though sluggish in possession thereafter.
Always in the wars for Ireland as usual took a 15th minute bang on the head but nothing much else of note.
Set piece delivery showed what Martin O’neill has been missing for a year and a day since he’s been out.
No-fuss farewell for the captain for the night. Gone after 36 minutes/85 caps on what could be his swansong.
Too quiet again for a guy who should be running the show. Must bring more to the party for Martin O’neill.
Wild shots earned celebratory roars from visiting fans – subbed to a standing ovation from the home support.
Rare flashes of inspiration at the top of the diamond and little end product helped create very little.
It’s one of football’s toughest jobs, playing as the lone striker in this side and Robinson had very little joy either. THE penultimate act of a thoroughly miserable year for the Republic of Ireland lurched to yet another predictable conclusion.
In keeping with performances since the World Cup play-off defeat here a year ago, there was no spark, no guile, no goals and no obvious plan to source one.
Martin O’neill is steadfast in his belief he will lead the Boys in Green to the Euro 2020 finals, the qualifiers for which begin in March.
But with only Monday’s game in Denmark to come before that campaign starts, it is a wonder what his bullishness is built on.
A night that began with both anthems being booed, finished in a chorus of the same from home supporters fed up with more of the same. Three times Darren Randolph bailed the Boys in Green out in a game that Northern Ireland ought to have won with something to spare.
The boisterous travelling fans taunted their opponents with chants of ‘You’re not very good’ late in the game and it was hard to pick holes.
Time and again, Michael O’neill’s (right) players were rampaging through Ireland’s loose midfield only for Randolph to keep his manager out of the firing line – for now.
This is Ireland’s worst sequence of results since a similar run of one win in 10 games under Steve Staunton back in 2007. Sure, Ireland have lost just once in their last four but to trumpet that fact only papers over the ongoing concerns.
Injury to Sean Maguire just 12 minutes after he came on around the hour mark copper-fastened the frustrating night.
And nor did Irish fans get the chance to see Michael Obafemi in action on the day the teenage Southampton striker unequivocally nailed his colours to the mast.
Glenn Whelan’s swansong lasted just 36 minutes, with fans rising to salute the midfielder on his 85th and - barring an SOS call - last appearance.
He was presented with a commemorative plaque at half-time but in keeping with his no-frills approach on the pitch throughout his career, he didn’t milk the occasion.
With only Monday’s clash in Denmark to come before the start of the Euro 2020 qualifiers in March, there is no room for sentiment and rightly so.
GRHOHIGHRGAHTGIHNGGSG
D RANDOLPH
S DUFFY
D LENIHAN
J EGAN
S COLEMAN
R BRADY
G WHELAN
J HENDRICK
J MCCLEAN
C O’DOWDA
C ROBINSON