A poor performance from a team jam-packed with nervous second-stringers. Ireland lost their first ever match against the Belarussian national team in Turner's Cross tonight.
We set off for France on a relatively downbeat note. Here's hoe they rated.
[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/266804362" params="auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="450" iframe="true" /]
Shay Given - 5.5
Could do little with either goal. Very little to say beyond that. The unpronounceable one's goal wasn't going to be stopped.
Cyrus Christie - 5
Capable going forward but very suspect defensively. This performance may jeopardise his chances of making it on the plane. If you're reading this after the squad has been announced, then feel free to discount.
Ciaran Clark - 6.5
The Man of the Match winner. The announcement wasn't rapturously received by the crowd. Keith Andrews bemoaned the difficulty of picking the award after the game. Two of Ireland's best chances fell to him. Should have directed Stephen Ward's cross in five minutes into the game.
Richard Keogh - 5.5
Was unfortunate to deflect the second goal into the net. The world has rightly decided that Christie was the more culpable for allowing his man to cut inside. A forgettable evening but he is on the way to France, in any case.
Stephen Ward - 7
One of the better performers and not just because he scored. One of the more maligned figures on the Irish team, Ward played quite well and got forward well early on.
James McClean - 6
One of Ireland's brighter players from the start. An expert display of acting the bollocks in the lead up to Stephen Ward's goal. His propensity for that stuff will no doubt be a key weapon in our arsenal in France.
David Meyler - 4.5
Perhaps nervous given how much was on tonight's performance. Conceded possession in the lead up to the first Belarussian goal. The unfortunate injury to Harry Arter may have given his selection hopes a boost but he may well have scuppered his chances tonight. Would be a pity if tonight screws him. We'll see.
Darron Gibson - 4.5
Poorish display and looks quite the stretch to say he'll make the plane now. Like many players, one could be generous and assume nerves played a part. His passing was typically speculative but wayward. Part of a dismal three man midfield effort.
Jeff Hendrick - 5.5
Ordinary display mitigated in part by the fact that he is just returned from injury. Didn't look sharp. The performance of Ireland's midfield will lead people to curse Harry Arter's misfortune. It increasingly looks like all of our misfortune. Kevin Kilbane suggested he could be sanguine.
Aiden McGeady - 4.5
So often, the whipping boy for the Irish support, McGeady would be the popular choice to stay at home and watch the Euros from his couch. Did well to set up a chance for Daryl Murphy early in the second half but otherwise an unproductive evening. His lack of match practice perhaps revealing itself but then it's not for nothing he hasn't got a look-in with Sheffield Wednesday.
Daryl Murphy - 5
His duck remains unbroken. 21 games and goals. Missed a great first half chance. His replacement Shane Long, bang in form, showed some nifty control and composure to lay on the goal. A bad night for Murphy. Like Meyler, will have to hope O'Neill will be inclined to ignore tonight.
SUBS
Shane Long - 6.5
The poverty of Ireland's display before his arrival underlined his importance. Wins high marks for his coolness in laying on the goal.
Callum O'Dowda - 6.5
Lively and energetic during his 20 minutes, the world has showered the young man with acclaim, primarily because he is being judged against Aiden McGeady.
Wes Hoolahan - 7
The darling of the player ratings guys strikes again. Ireland's play improved noticeably in the last 23 minutes. His usual probing and intelligent self. As with Long, Ireland's abject display in his absence underlined his importance.
Eunan O'Kane - 6
Came on for Meyler in the last fifteen minutes. Fired a shot over the bar. Little of note to report. The poverty of Ireland's display may have cheered him.
David McGoldrick - 6
Came on with twelve minutes remaining. Profited for being on the field so little. His Ipswich Town strike partner endured a difficult 78 minutes. Tonight isn't likely to harm McGoldrick.
David Forde - 6
Came on in the second half. Little to report on. Most are reading his introduction as proof, if it were needed, that he is being brought in preference for Keiren Westwood.
