Winners
Jeff Hendrick
Had more shots than any Ireland player in the tournament and was literally inches away from notching two, if not three goals. His effort with his left foot after nine minutes of last night's game was a belter. Never stopped trying - and finished the group stage as Ireland's leading passer as well with 115 passes over the three games.
Former Ireland assistant manager Marco Tardelli said he recommended the Derby County midfielder to teams in Serie A and Italian journalists are avid fans. Regardless of what else happens - Hendrick is unlikely to remain at Derby County for very much longer. Here's hoping he gains a few French admirers on Sunday too.
Wes Hoolahan
Ireland's only true creative force. The Norwich City man was only on the pitch for a total of just over 16 minutes but was involved in Ireland's two biggest chances. He should have scored the first chance when facing Salvatore Sirigu but instantly redeemed himself with the sumptuous ball from the right to set up Robbie Brady's winner.
The only worry is that he's rumoured to have been struggling physically to cope with the demands of three games in nine days - here's hoping he will be able to recover in time for the game against the French on Sunday. He is absolutely critical to any hopes Ireland have of competing at this level.
James McCarthy
Solid against Sweden, woeful against Belgium but redeemed himself in last night's game. Was the scapegoat for the atrocious performance against Belgium but showed the bottle he was accused of lacking. In the battle of the midfielders - Thiago Motta has won two Champions Leagues and seven league titles but it was McCarthy who set the tempo for most of the game.
Won the ball that should have led to a penalty for James McClean late in the first half and was snappy throughout. It's perhaps harsh on Glenn Whelan (who had more successful passes than any other Ireland player in the first two matches) but McCarthy's best performances in green have come when he's been the lynchpin in midfield. Last night's display wasn't as dominant as against Germany in the qualifiers but it came damn close.
Losers
Ciaran Clark
James McCarthy might have proved the fans' scapegoat but Martin O'Neill took out his ire on Clark and his centre-back partner John O'Shea - replacing them with Richard Keogh and Shane Duffy. Clark performed well against Sweden - aside from his own goal.
He was not ruthless enough against Belgium and exposed by their movement and deftness. As Eamon Dunphy has insisted since the start of the tournament - Clark has "a mistake in him". Having gone into the tournament as one of Ireland.
Aiden McGeady
The reaction to McGeady coming on as Ireland's first substitute last night says it all.
McGeady must have the ultimate Martin O'Neill secret that he is ready to expose....if ever there was a moment to prove me wrong #COYBIG
— Kevin Palmer (@RealKevinPalmer) June 22, 2016
That McGeady was the man O'Neill turned to in a game that absolutely had to be won is baffling. O'Neill's infatuation with McGeady is a long-standing affair - after McGeady's debut for Celtic against Hearts back in 2004, O'Neill compared the winger to Ronaldinho.
McGeady was shipped out from Everton to Sheffield Wednesday in the December transfer window. He'd only made one appearance for the Toffees since the start of the season. McGeady started 10 games for Sheffield,, notching one goal and no assists.
Wednesday got to the play-offs but released McGeady to the Irish squad instead of involving him such was their lack of faith in the 30-old. Of the 23 games McGeady has played in this season - nine of them have been when O'Neill has picked him for Ireland. That situation is baffling.
John O'Shea
Didn't perform too badly against Sweden in the opener but was really exposed against Belgium. The Waterford man is 35 now and looks unlikely to feature again in this tournament barring injury.
O'Neill seems to have made it clear that his preferred partnership at the back is Keogh and Duffy. Last night's game was one where Ireland had nothing to lose - O'Neill rolled the dice with the men he thought could deliver a win. The game against France is the exact same scenario and O'Shea doesn't seem to fit the bill.
O'Shea has been a marvelous servant to Irish football but he won't look back on this group stage with any great fondness.
