Ireland have slumped to a friendly defeat against Iceland in Dublin, with this free kick by Hordur Magnusson ultimately the difference between the two teams.
We were largely terrible in a first-half notable for the continued booing of the FAI's brass band, with most of the focus on debutants Conor Hourihane and John Egan. There was a considerable GAA focus on Egan's performance, whose father won six All-Ireland medals with Kerry.
Kingdom legend Eoin Liston was in the crowd on a scouting mission:
Keeping a close eye on John pic.twitter.com/JtL63KDFuO
— Eoin Liston (@EoinListon) March 28, 2017
Mighty stuff John Egan #commandingintheair
— Eoin Liston (@EoinListon) March 28, 2017
Balls reader Brendan Barry-Murphy even spotted a little of his GAA Background™ on display:
Good to see @JohnEgan92 still has the skills picked up @GaaBishopstown seen here hand passing to #Christie #IREvICE @ballsdotie @offtheball pic.twitter.com/RuD7Q06RTT
— Brendan Barry-Murphy (@bbarrymurphy) March 28, 2017
In truth, Egan was pretty good: he had to get his head was bandaged after an early aerial clash, and it was he who gave away the foul which led to the goal,but otherwise he was steady on his international bow.
The second-half improved from an Irish point of view, with Ireland more prominent on the ball without creating too many clear-cut chances.
The biggest cheer of the night came when Martin O'Neill emptied the bench: meaning Irish debuts for Andy Boyle and Daryl Horgan.
Daryl Horgan getting his richly deserved Ireland cap - Another one brought tru by Stephen Kenny #MonTheTown pic.twitter.com/6R7HRJiWJl
— Ger Cunningham (@GerCun7) March 28, 2017
Delighted for Andy Boyle and Daryl Horgan, couldn't happen two nicer fellas. Top players too
— James Rogers (@jamesrogersie) March 28, 2017
Horgan and Boyle must want a bit of time away from each other by now #IREvICE
— ciarán lennon (@ciaranlennon) March 28, 2017
There was, however, a lot of frustration with his Preston teammate Aiden McGeady, who turned in a frustratingly ineffective performance on the right-wing, in spite of his fabulous form with Preston in the Championship. He contributed little and was eventually subbed on seventy minutes, once again profligate with fan's goodwill.
How on earth has Aiden McGeady amassed 88 caps? Two memorable games in all that time #ROI #COYBIG
— Jamie Casey (@jamiecasey37) March 28, 2017
Put Aiden McGeady in a Preston jersey & he turns into Messi. Pop him into an Ireland jersey and he's like a dog chasing his arse. #IREICE
— James O'Donoghue (@odonoghuejames) March 28, 2017
A frustrating night, and it means we have failed to score in consecutive games in the Aviva. Oh, and that bloody band were back.
