Ireland head for France with a 2-1 defeat to Belarus as their final farewell.
Although it was only a friendly, Martin O’Neill abandoned the diamond formation that the team have been using since last June and it told throughout a disjointed first half.
The side struggled through the opening 45 minutes and went a goal down before the break, no more than they deserved for a lackluster performance and they lost 2-1 in the end.
Shay Given 6
Could do very bloody little as Hardzeichuk was given about 10 seconds to line up his shot 20 metres from his goal and he rifled a terrific strike into the top corner. Pulled off a good save at his near post later in the half to deny Valadzko. Could only watch the second deflect in past him too.
Cyrus Christie 7
Looked bright on the ball and drove forward with real pace to win a free 20 yards from goal. Got livelier as the first half wore on and broke into the box at one stage and forced a corner when the rest of the team were offering very, very little going forward. Carried the ball for about 15 seconds after the break and, with three men on him down the right, delivered an excellent ball onto the head of Ciaran Clark.
Very, very sloppy defending that led to the second goal. Firstly, he got way too tight and got done badly with the one-two. Then, he sold himself for a Mars bar and dove in on the recovery to allow Valadzko to saunter inside him and score. Very exciting on the ball though and put in another fantastic cross that led to a big chance for the equaliser. Also cleaned up for Keogh in a potentially messy situation late on. Eventful night.
Richard Keogh 7
Unlucky with the goal that he could only get his arse to. Untroubled throughout but did get lucky enough with a back-pass late on.
Ciaran Clark 8
Dominated the skies in the Belarus box. Got up brilliantly for a couple of powerful headers and was denied by a few good stops from the ‘keeper. Another strong display at the back too – him and Ward had the Belarus right-hand side tied up and bound. And he was the one forcing the issue from the back, driving out when he could and became one of our most effective catalysts.
Stephen Ward 9
Came flying out of the blocks. The first 10 minutes were all going through Ward who was bombing down the left flank and put a real dangerous ball across the goals that needed just one touch. Whipped in another fine cross from deep later in the half. Really, really solid defensively all evening and hit an absolute ripper of a strike to smash the Belarus net. With Arter not going and Hendrick still on his way back, he’s a big option for left back with Brady moving further forward – a la Germany.
Jeff Hendrick 6
Important to get the 90 minutes under his belt – that’s all O’Neill will worry about. In and out of the game as you’d expect from a man coming back from injury but did looked promising at times in attack.
Darron Gibson 5
Played deep and sprayed a decent range of passes around the field without ever really penetrating or even looking to. Got sucked in for the first goal and left Cyrus Christie two-on-one and presented Hardzeichuk with all the space in the world to pick his shot. Didn’t cover the space in front of the centre back for the second which wasn’t criminal but you wonder would Whelan have done it? Could be in trouble of not making the 23-man squad.
David Meyler 5
Lost the ball in the Belarus half that led to the counter-attack for the game’s opener. Quiet enough outing on his return to Turner’s Cross.
Aiden McGeady 6
Nice footwork and great cross for Daryl Murphy who really should’ve scored from four yards out. Whipped in a terrific corner that looked to be goalbound only for a super stop from the goalkeeper but was guilty of two of the worst/non-existent tackles through the game – one time in his own box and had Shay Given to thank for saving his skin.
Daryl Murphy 4
A victim of the shape in the first half and a very deep team. He was left all alone up top with hardly anyone near him. Got his big chance in the second period though and didn’t take it when he should have.
You won't get your first international goal with efforts like this, Daryl #IRLBEL pic.twitter.com/JJ0OFZiClL
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) May 31, 2016
James McClean 7
One of the few bright sparks of the first half. Mincing tackle, as per usual. Chased everything, as per usual. Tried to make things happen any time he got a sniff of the ball, as per usual. As Ireland mounted their comeback in the second period, the Derry man was to the fore – getting in behind, whipping in deadly corners and getting the crowd going. As per usual.
Subs
Wes Hoolahan 7
Livened things up as he always does and gave the side possession in the final third, as he always does.
Shane Long 7
Changed the whole intensity of the game. Stretched Belarus, ran at them, threatened the goals and set up Ward with a neat touch for his strike.
David Forde 6
Didn’t have anything to do.
Eunan O’Kane 6
Trademark nutmeg now and looked tidy around the middle but the ball came to him twice at the edge of the box and he couldn’t convert.
Callum O’Dowda 8
Was given just 20 minutes to prove himself to O’Neill and, Jesus, he did everything he could to impress in that time. Looked lively, looked creative, confident and positive and really made things happen for Ireland. As late as late bolters go.
David McGoldrick 6
Late substitute but still backed himself with a vicious effort from all of 35 yards that had the keeper scrambling.
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