HENDRICK GETS MICK ROLLING

WITH Gibraltar first on the agenda – and Georgia to come on Tuesday – Mick McCarthy knew he was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

But his second coming as Ireland manager got off to an okay start, with one goal, three points and one little message sent out to the rest of Ireland’s Group D opponents.

Even if this was only Gibraltar – ranked 194th in the world and yet to win a point in 21 World Cup and European championship qualifiers – it was still a bit of a revelation to see Ireland pass the ball for a change.

And it was something of a suprise to see them score their first goal in 445 minutes. Still, you can’t get carried away. Opponents like Gibraltar disprove the cliche that there are no easy games left in international football. There are. And this is one of them.

But Gibraltar can hold their heads high after this display, holding Ireland to 0-0 in the first half before Jeff Hendrick scored his second international goal three minutes into the second half.

Until then it was nervy. Relishing the possibility of causing an upset, Gibraltar did not moan about the gale force wind, plastic pitch or unusual backdrop to this tiny Victoria Stadium, flanked by an airport runway on one side and the rock on the other.

Instead they realised these were levellers as they started the game by bravely pressing defence.

Then – 15 minutes in – they cottoned on that they would never sustain that pace for 90 minutes.

By this stage Ireland were in command.

But all level at half-time the key question for McCarthy’s men at this stage was about staying patient.

Forty seconds into the second half Gibraltar asked bigger questions of Irish keeper Darren Randolph – when Liam Walker’s corner was met by captain Roy Chipolina’s header, forcing Randolph to make a low, left-handed, diving save.

It would prove to be the game’s key moment – because just three minutes later Ireland led.

Hendrick got the goal after Conor Hourihane split the Gibraltar defence with a swerving, diagonal pass into David McGoldrick’s feet. Chased by Chipolina, Ireland’s McGoldrick raced into the penalty area, stayed calm, picked out Hendrick with a low cross and watched the Burnley midfielder slide the ball into Goldwin’s net.

You expected Ireland to push on and score more. But they didn’t.

Despite remaining in control, they pinned Gibraltar back in their own half but didn’t produce any spark or magic.

To do that, you need classy players. And Ireland simply don’t produce those anymore. Gibraltar aren’t a force. Thankfully for McCarthy – unlike 2018 – Ireland aren’t a farce anymore.