GAME AT A GLANCE
MANOFTHEMATCH
Declan Rice (Ireland) Few could argue with the assessment that he was the best player on the park. Brings a lot to this Irish side from midfield.
TALKING POINT
Graham Burke’s inclusion was the main point of interest and he did reasonably well. By starting a game and making a contribution, it helps to make it easier for the next promising home-based youngster. Burke is likely to leave, as will any star lighting things up at home, but with competition fierce over the water, we have reached a point where League of Ireland lads have to be at least considered for games like this one.
MAGIC MOMENT
Ireland’s winning goal was the highlight as it mixed quality in the build-up, most notably from Declan Rice, with a fantastic story as Alan Judge got a goal which compensated for some of the pain of his long and costly injury lay-off.
CROWD WATCH
The official attendance given was 32,300 and you can always draw your own conclusions about a figure with a very round number. That said, the ground did start to fill up in the first 15 minutes, with the confusing 8.08pm kick-off and the Irish tendency to try and sneak a drink in before the start contributing to the stream of late arrivals. In truth, they were muted enough until the second-half rally.
WHATTHEYSAID
Alan Judge (Ireland)
“This is what I’ve been waiting for, something just like that. The fact I’ve scored my first goal for Ireland in my first game back at home is unbelievable. I know it’s only a friendly, but for someone who has been out as long as I have, as Seamus (Coleman) will tell you, it means a lot.”
Graham Burke (Ireland) “There was about 50 of my family here. It’s unbelievable. I’m very happy with how I trained. I think Martin showed faith in me after what he saw over the week. I thank him for that.”