Connolly lifts Mick’s flat Irish

I RELAND were compared to energetic dancer Michael Flatley by Georgia’s coach on the eve of this game. That, on reflection, was certainly not a reference to fine footwork and Mick McCarthy’s side had little cause for a jig after this drab goalless draw.

It was their worst performance yet under McCarthy and bore all the hallmarks of the latter days of Martin O’Neill’s reign.

McCarthy kept Brighton forward Aaron Connolly on the bench until deep into the second half and the 19-year-old debutant — scorer of two goals against Spurs last weekend — provided a belated attacking threat, drawing the first save of the evening in stoppage-time.

Had McCarthy regretted leaving him unused until the 78th minute, especially when his pace instantly unnerved the Georgian defence?

‘Not really, no,’ he insisted. ‘I just thought at the time we might nick it with him. He’s done really well and he’s put himself in contention to play on Tuesday in Switzerland.’

The sight of Connolly repeatedly glancing back towards the dugout as he warmed up in the second half told you of his belief at being able to make a difference. His confidence was not misplaced and he could have nicked victory when galloping clear in the 92nd minute only to slam his shot into the sidenetting. Moments earlier his low drive had been saved by Giorgi Loria, a spectator to that point.

Ireland, in truth, did not deserve to emerge with anything other than a point, which means they will probably have t o beat one of Switzerland or Denmark in their two remaining fixtures if they are to progress automatically to Euro 2020.

McCarthy said: ‘We could have been better with the ball. That disappoints me but we’ve had another clean sheet and points away from home, I’m relishing them to be honest. I wanted to win but I’m not going away disappointed.’

However, he should be. It took just 25 seconds for Georgia to penetrate Ireland’s backline and they would have been in front had Valeri Qazaishvili not sliced wide.

Having spoken bullishly of coming here to win, McCarthy would have been forgiven for downgrading his expectations as the hour mark passed with Georgia in control. It was crying out for change but McCarthy did not act until the 73rd minute when he introduced midfielder Alan Browne.

Eventually, teenager Connolly was given his chance and in just 12 minutes he showed the energy and enthusiasm that his teammates had lacked, but by then it was too late.