IRELAND RATINGS

DARREN RANDOLPH

He did parry one of his first-half saves straight into the path of Sisto but otherwise it’s hard to quibble with the Middlesbrough keeper’s performance. Crucially, he commanded his area well when the Danes applied late pressure.

SHANE DUFFY

Another game that suited the Brighton defender, with Denmark fond of going direct and Duffy fond of rising in a crowded area to get his head on the ball. He was well shackled when he trudged forward for long throws and corners, with opponents doubling up on him at times.

HARRY ARTER

His previous performances for Ireland have allowed him to roam while either Glenn Whelan or David Meyler functioned as a shield. This time, Arter was Ireland’s main defensive midfielder and he did well in the mission to invade Christian Eriksen’s personal space.

JAMES McCLEAN

He was viewed as a risk in the yellow peril debate and there were times where it seemed he was very conscious of it as he entered tackles. McClean was bright enough without ever really getting into a promising position inside the final third.

CYRUS CHRISTIE

He suggested afterwards that it’s unfair to compare him to Seamus Coleman, and more performances like this one will increase the respect levels for the right-back, who was responsible for Ireland’s best attacking moment and defended well.

STEPHEN WARD

The Burnley player has become an extremely steady player for Ireland in this campaign and this was more of the same, with Denmark not getting a huge amount of joy from his flank. Like the rest of his defensive counterparts, he was disciplined and avoided a dreaded second booking.

JEFF HENDRICK

The pre-match injury doubt didn’t do much on the ball across the night and Roy Keane called him over for a sideline chat during a stoppage, but this was a more withdrawn role for Hendrick and like Arter his brief was essentially a defensive one.

DARYL MURPHY

A tough gig for the lone striker, with balls flying over his head, and he didn’t really get to utilise his strength in the hold-up play department. Denmark’s imposing centre-halves also managed him very well and it was no surprise when O’Neill sprung Long.

CIARAN CLARK

He hasn’t played much football since the last international window and he made one firsthalf error that gave the Danes a chance but he regrouped and was solid in the second half when the Danes juggled their forward options.

CALLUM O’DOWDA

A huge vote of confidence in the Bristol City winger and O’Neill felt that he warmed to the task. He did suffer a couple of tricky moments defensively, with Danish left-back Larsen prominent, but this was a new experience for the youngster.

ROBBIE BRADY

He was expected to be the central player given the most licence to get forward and support Daryl Murphy but he was close to Hendrick and Arter throughout. The Dubliner did find some good positions yet he was guilty of over-clubbing passes under pressure.

MARTIN O’NEILL

Sent out a side that was able to defend strongly and curb Denmark’s star man. Time will tell if a cautious plan was the right one.

SUBSTITUTES

Shane Long 6; Glenn Whelan and Conor Hourihane not on long enough to rate