WALES 1-0 IRELAND
The winless run goes on for Stephen Kenny and Ireland. Our player ratings are none too pretty, but there were a couple of positives.
Once again, Ireland were decent across two-thirds of the pitch but unable to finish any of the half chances they were able to fashion. A David Brooks header settled the tie and Jeff Hendrick was given a straight red card in injury time for a last-ditch foul on Tyler Roberts.
Ireland had the better of the first half exchanges and the two clearest changes to break the deadlock, through Shane Duffy and Robbie Brady. Wales’ most promising attacks often ended at the feet of Daniel James, who was wasteful in the final third.
Wales upped the tempo in the second half but failed to seriously trouble Ireland until the 68th minute. Shane Duffy got his head to a tricky James cross but the ball looped to Gareth Bale at the back post. He headed back across the goal and David Brooks was able to nod home from three yards out.
Irish sub James Collins delivered more up front in the final 15 minutes than Adam Idah did for the previous 75 but Ireland were still left indebted to Randolph for a great save from Brooks in the closing stages.
Here’s how we rated Stephen Kenny’s boys in green:
Darren Randolph – 6
Comfortably saved down low from a Bale shot. Caught neither coming or going for that Brooks goal but hard to blame him. Made a stunning save from Brooks when he was one-on-one.
Dara O’Shea – 6
Pressed up beyond the halfway line a few times to win ball back for his side and support McClean.
Matt Doherty – 6
Back where he prefers, on the right flank, and had another decent night out for his country. Out-jumped by Bale at the back post and it led to Brooks’ goal.
Kevin Long – 6
Solid enough outing from the Burnley man. A couple of decent clearances.
Shane Duffy – 6
Came close from a set-piece in the first 10 minutes. Snuffed out a couple of dangerous crosses and one Daniel James effort. Got in a good header before the Brooks goal but failed to get enough on it to get it out of danger. Once again the man they all aimed for at set-pieces.
Jayson Molumby – 5.5
Has an eye for a defence or midfield-splitting pass and pulled off a few during the game. Got a needless yellow just before the break.
Jeff Hendrick – 4
Back closer to his own defence and much more comfortable in his skin. Caught in possession by Daniel James, late on, and yellow-carded. Sent off for a professional foul on Tyler Roberts in injury time.
Robbie Brady – 6
Tidy flicks and passes as he warmed to the task. Just over the bar with one effort, in the first half, but got a lobbed attempt all wrong. Put in a couple of dangerous frees and some testing balls, from play, into the box.
Daryl Horgan – 5
At least kept trying to take on his man, even if it didn’t always come off. Game, but has never really convinced at international level.
James McClean – 7
Along with Brady, was Ireland’s liveliest player in the first half. Thumped into a couple of challenges, won possession back and got some crosses into the box. Kept going until the end, as he always does. Ireland’s best player.
Adam Idah – 5
Gave Joe Rodon a busy night but found it hard to make the ball stick. Brought a couple of thru-balls back into traffic when it would have been wiser to let the ball run on. Seemed to be a second late to at least four decent balls into the box.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Jason Knight (for Horgan ’58) – 5
Got a deserved yellow card for a rash challenge.
James Collins (for Idah ’75) – 6.5
Was on the pitch 30 seconds when he fizzed a shot on target. Then won his team a free just outside the box. Had another low show and header on target with a few minutes remaining.
Conor Hourihane (for Molumby ’75) – 5
Callum O’Dowda (for Robbie Brady ’80) – 6
Jack Byrne (for O’Shea ’80) – 6
Stephen Kenny remembered he existed and put him on for the final 10 minutes. Set up a Collins chance because that’s what he does.
