Doherty cuts a frustrated figure as his attacking instincts are curbed
IF YOU are looking for the moment to sum up Matt Doherty’s night, it came in the 30th minute. Fittingly, he didn’t even touch the ball.
James McClean’s hit-and-hope clearance from deep in his own half was expertly controlled and taken away from his marker by Shane Long with one deft touch. The lone Irish frontman shook off the attention of Henrik Dalsgaard near the centre circle and with Doherty galloping into acres of space on the right, the Tipperary man somehow decided to ignore his advances – or perhaps he simply hadn’t the vision.
Long turned back into the centre and the momentum was lost. Doherty, stopped in his tracks with the freedom of the pitch in front of him, flung his arms in the air and fidgeted with his socks as play continued without him.
It was a mild strop and a sign of his frustration. Long may have been the culprit on this occasion but O’Neill’s decision to play Cyrus Christie – another full back – on that side of a disjointed, rudderless midfield was a baffling one.
The Fulham man has been a stalwart of O’Neill’s tenure, ably stepping into the breach left by Seamus Coleman during the World Cup qualifying campaign after the captain’s horrendous leg break, but this was a task too far.
In fact, this was a woeful misjudgement on the part of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill.
It was hard not to feel sympathy for Christie who gallantly went about his business but looked completely out of his depth – although his crisp 72nd-minute shot did sting the fingers of Kasper Schmeichel and temporarily stir a largely mute home crowd.
Refined passers of the ball in this squad may be about as rare as a serious challenger to President Michael D Higgins in the race for the Áras, but not utilising a proper midfielder, say Shaun Williams, to try and make the most of Doherty’s talents was a missed opportunity.
Doherty only had one real foray forward in the first couple of minutes but his low cross into the box was cleared. Then, right on the stroke of half-time, he misjudged Dalsgaard’s deep cross to the back post by attempting to stoop and head the ball clear. Instead, it ricocheted off his backside and trickled wide for a corner.
It was a fortunate escape and as he trudged off for the break – he was the last to leave the pitch – he probably would have preferred to be anywhere but here.
Because this was one of those horrible – some might say manky – days in the capital when it was cold, never stopped raining and seemed to be dark from breakfast.
Winter is coming and discontent, not to mention confusion, reigns with O’Neill’s Ireland.
After this, the clouds of negativity remain and it doesn’t feel as if Tuesday’s clash with Wales will offer any respite from the sense of dread which pervades as you approach Lansdowne Road.
This was a night for the miserly, not the purists.
Doherty’s performances for Wolves are trademarked by adventure, attacking intent and confidence. Sadly, these are traits that have become almost taboo among this Ireland team.
Still, perhaps the manager will be pleased that the Dubliner didn’t resort to wearing gloves or tights for comfort.
Another one in the spotlight, for completely different reasons, was Harry Arter. Following WhatsApp gate and the well-publicised row with Roy Keane, O’Neill repeatedly told the Cardiff City midfielder that he had a point to prove.
He was given another chance here, his 14th cap, but the much Premier League player still has plenty of work to do. There have been nights in an Ireland jersey when Arter has been a supreme nuisance. The 1-0 win away to Austria during World Cup qualifying springs to mind. That evening in Vienna he tormented his opponents with a mixture of diligent defensive work and bare-faced cheek.
Those sort of occasions are a distant memory now.
Arter has also shown flashes of an intelligent football brain, that he can offer more than just the role of a curmudgeon. Think of his clever dummy for James McClean’s goal in Cardiff this time last year, for example.
He began his night hyped by adrenaline and referee Sandor Piller did him a huge favour by not showing a straight red card for his crazy seventh minute tackle on Martin Braithwaite. Arter began his sliding tackle in Ringsend and could have ended up in Pearse Street such was the reckless nature of the decision.
Still, he was on hand to head Simon Kjaer’s 58th-minute header off the line. That was his last meaningful action of the night before he was taken off moments later.
Doherty and Christie probably wished they were joining him. Your move, Martin.