The Ireland boss leaned heavily on his squad’s spate of injuries and absentees.
Martin O’Neill was definitely not throwing in the towel after witnessing his Ireland side slump to an embarrassing loss in Cardiff.
O’Neill and assistant coach Roy Keane cut forlorn figures on the sideline as Ryan Giggs, in his first home game as Wales boss, led his side to a 4-1 victory.
Ireland were behind as early as the fifth minute as Tom Lawrence fizzed in the opener for the hosts. Gareth Bale nearly took the nets off its’ hooks with a second for Wales and Aaron Ramsey’s low drive made it 3-0 by half-time.
Conor Roberts’ first goal for his country, assisted by Bale, made it 4-0 before Ireland substitute Shaun Williams stole the ball from Ramsey and nicked one back for Ireland.
Speaking to Sky Sports after Ireland’s 4-1 trouncing, O’Neill said:
“We were well beaten… Obviously, we set out with good intentions and they scored very early in the game. Then they scored a second, a world-class goal from a world-class player. 2-0 down and it was very hard to get back from that.
“When you lose 5 or 6 Premier League players, it is always going to be tough. They look like they have some very good players… but we had a very different side than the last time we were out here.
“I can’t think of when we have ever been full strength but I can’t remember ever being as decimated as that.”
For Giggs, all was rosy heading into his side’s away date against Denmark at the weekend. asked if that was a perfect start, he replied.
“Some great goals and some great football so, yeah, I can’t be much happier…. I enjoyed the game and enjoyed the goals but, you know, you always think you can do better.”
There was a feeling from Giggs, the Welsh players and fans that Ireland could have been hit for more than four.
No Irish person would sensibly argue otherwise.
