It was a sobering night for Irish football in the Cardiff City Stadium, as Martin O'Neill's men were battered 4-1 by a well oiled Welsh side, with goals from Gareth Bale, Tom Lawrence, Connor Roberts and Aaron Ramsey sealing Ryan Giggs first competitive win as Wales manager.
In the build up to the game a lot of the talk surrounding Ireland concerned one Declan Rice, with the London born footballer still deliberating over whether to declare for Ireland or England.
In lieu of the result, Rice will certainly feel wanted by a section of Irish supporters, who tweeted at the player during the game, pleading with him to not turn his back on the country which has already given him three caps:
@_DeclanRice hope tonight makes your mind up lad, change your phone number and don’t accept any +353 calls
— Nigel Shevlin (@nshev16) September 6, 2018
SOS @_DeclanRice
— Jigger (@jakdelaney_97) September 6, 2018
@_DeclanRice probably best if you don’t stick on sky sports
— Jay (@jamieparry85) September 6, 2018
@_DeclanRice your country is getting piped bro! They need you lol
— Jermain Jones ??? (@YungKakarot) September 6, 2018
@_DeclanRice
Pllllleeeeeaaaaaassseeee.
Don't go, look what's happening.#COYBIG— John McCarthy (@hammerdad) September 6, 2018
A few more were more cynical in their view of Ireland's performance:
Can’t see @_DeclanRice beating down MON or Roy Keane’s door to get back into this farce......#COYBIG #WALIRL #WALIRE
— Julian Lee (@Julian_Lee76) September 6, 2018
I hope @_DeclanRice is at home playing fortnite and not watching this shambles ? Ireland clueless with and without the ball! Wales are looking like a serious team though,in fairness. #WALIRE #NationsLeague
— Eoin Scully (@Sculltown) September 6, 2018
There were also many who urged the midfielder to declare for England in the wake of the result:
. @_DeclanRice save yourself, fella.
— Mark Harrington (@MHarrington91) September 6, 2018
Would you honestly blame @_DeclanRice for considering his options #WHUFC #WALIRL
— Mick Mooney (@mickamoowhufc) September 6, 2018
Think @_DeclanRice dodged a bullet here! ?⚒⚒
— Gareth Vaughan Jones (@GaiVaughan) September 6, 2018
@_DeclanRice I think you know who to choose
— Joe (@whu_boulcott) September 6, 2018
#DeclanRice on his phone right now; “hello Mr Southgate how are you?” #WALIRE #WALIRL ?? @_DeclanRice
— Paul Hennessy (@PaulTenor) September 6, 2018
I expect @_DeclanRice has decided he’s English now!! Come to the dark said Declan you’re too good for this lot!!
— Nic Dutton (@NicDutton94) September 6, 2018
Of course you would hope that this result would have no bearing on Rice's decision, though looking at the performance tonight you would not blame the youngster for considering his options.
