The TRIALS IN TBLISI

Gripped by yellow peril

SIX Irish players started on a yellow card, Cyrus Christie (right), Shane Duffy, Stephen Ward, Glenn Whelan, Robbie Brady and Jon Walters. For Tuesday against Serbia there will be seven after James McClean’s late caution. The ranks could be seriously depleted in October.

Not getting breaks

THE two water breaks scheduled for 25 minutes and 70 minutes were scrapped just before kickoff as the temperatures dropped in Tbilisi. A flow of water to interrupt the flow of the game would have done Ireland a favour.

The wrong call

MARTIN O’NEILL (right) got it wrong with his deployment of Harry Arter on the right side of a midfield three. Glenn Whelan was continually beckoning him into position and he was hooked with 30 minutes to go.

Technical theatrics

The Ireland manager was hyped up on the touchline and was constantly going from one end of his technical area to the other barking instructions. As the night wore on, assistant Roy Keane joined him as frustrations grew.

Aiden’s agony

Aiden McGeady’s (left) injurytime winner here three years ago broke Georgia hearts and it should have happened again but composure deserted the Sunderland clubman as he fired a close range volley over.

Welcome back Wes

The Wes Hoolahan camp cried foul when the wee schemer was left out of the team, and were miffed he didn’t get a run. At 35, Hoolahan (left) only has so much energy in his legs. Expect him to be involved against Serbia on Tuesday.