Mccarthy side’s worst display but he sees it as a point won and praises Connolly’s debut

Deam would have unlocked all sorts of ppealing possibilities with a ticket to he finals dangling within touching istance. But as they traipsed off tterly dejected at the final histle, the Irish players ealised that they had lown a big pportunity. However, Ireland annot quibble ecause their edestrian erformance truly left a ot to be desired and, at imes, this team played like trangers thrown together before ick-off. By some distance, it was the worst performance of this Mccarthy reign. Darren Randolph did not have a save to make, but Ireland were pulled from pillar to post in all departments. Georgia would have been out of sight had they shown a sliver of confidence around the visitors’ box. Sheffield United’s John Egan came close to handing Ireland the perfect start. But his header from Conor Hourihane’s free-kick crashed off the post with goalkeeper Giorgi Loria left completely stranded. However, it was Georgia who looked the more likely side to score – until Connolly’s arrival. The Galway-born youngster almost made an immediate impact as he forced Loria into a save before hitting the side netting as he bore down on goal.

Shane Duffy then headed straight at Loria from a Jeff Hendrick corner, but it was too little, too late to force a winner.

Afterwards, debutant Connolly (left) said: “I wouldn’t say that I was nervous, I was more excited.

“It is an international debut, the proudest moment that you can achieve.

“I got two chances and I probably should have put at least one of them away.

“But it is a good overall performance and we will take a point.”