Republic of Ireland 1 Gibraltar 0.
Ireland have started their Euro 2020 qualification campaign with a narrow win over Gibraltar.
It was a truly dreadful game of football, devoid of any real quality played on an artificial surface beside a rock and an airport landing strip with the wind whipping across the pitch.
The best thing that can be said about the tie is that it is over, and Ireland have three points. Mick McCarthy will be happy to move on from the match and so will everyone who witnessed it.
Here is how we rated the players. Just a note, five out of 10 is the base rating – the score each player starts with. The conditions were awful, as were Gibraltar, and it was difficult for any player to stand out.
Darren Randolph – 6.5
Randolph has been a calm presence in the Ireland team since winning his starting spot against Germany in 2015. Last year, he was one of the few players to do himself justice, saving Ireland on several occasions and preventing a defeat against Northern Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.
He is also a man in form, with 16 clean sheets in the Championship this season for Middlesbrough. Against Gibraltar on Saturday, the Bray-native was rarely tested but was on hand to make a brilliant save when Ireland’s defence broke down. Randolph made a stunning stop just after half-time to prevent Ireland from falling behind.
Seamus Coleman – 5
The Ireland captain experienced a tough spell for Everton earlier this season, but his place in the national team was never in question. Coleman got forward as often as he could, without landing a decisive cross.
Shane Duffy – 5
Duffy is the top-scoring Irish player in the Premier League this season with five goals and was a threat from set-pieces without finding the finishing touch. His long passes often came to nothing, as the wind made it difficult to go direct.
Richard Keogh – 5
Despite having a broken bone in his hand, the Derby County defender started ahead of John Egan in central defence. Ultimately, it didn’t matter, as he was never really tested bar making a late block.
Enda Stevens – 5
The Sheffield United full-back has been in accomplished form this season, helping his side to second place in the Championship and registering six assists along the way. Stevens was also reliable when he played for Ireland last year and warranted a start against Gibraltar.
The 28-year-old had to wait a while for this chance and will hope he did enough to retain his spot for the Georgia game on Tuesday. He didn’t do anything wrong against Gibraltar in a match that was tough to stand out in.
Matt Doherty – 5
The most in-form Irish player this season, Doherty simply had to play against Gibraltar and McCarthy made the right call by starting him on the right side of midfield. As he said earlier this week, the Wolves’ wing-back gets forward all the time at club level and he would have no trouble doing so for Ireland.
Doherty, who has six goals and four assists for Wolves this season, was Ireland’s best attacking outlet in a turgid first half, linking up with Coleman and McGoldrick at times down the right. However, he didn’t have much chance to impress after the break, as he was substituted for Robbie Brady just 10 minutes into the second half.
Conor Hourihane – 7
The Aston Villa midfielder is another player who is in good form for his club but has had to wait for his chance to impress at international level.
Hourihane has scored six goals and registered 11 assists at club level this season. However, the 28-year-old had earned just six caps for Ireland before Saturday.
Against Gibraltar, Hourihane stood out in the first half. His deliveries were dangerous and he was tidy on the ball in difficult conditions, starting the move that led to Ireland’s goal with an incisive pass to McGoldrick. Man of the match.
Jeff Hendrick – 6.5
They Burnley midfielder took his goal very well, breaking from midfield to slot the ball into the far corner.
A much-needed goal for a player who has struggled to produce his best form for the national team over the last-18 months.
Relief for Ireland as Jeff Hendrick gives them the lead three minutes into the second half #GIBIRL pic.twitter.com/aEFpp7UmI0
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) March 23, 2019
James McClean – 4
McClean, earning his 61st cap, was selected to start ahead of Robbie Brady on the left-wing. He worked hard but offered little.
David McGoldrick – 6
On his first appearance for Ireland since 2017, the Sheffield United forward grew into the game. He dropped deep and looked to link up play and had a central role in Ireland’s goal.
McGoldrick collected the ball out wide, brushed past the Gibraltar defender and rolled a pass across for Hendrick to finish.
Sean Maguire – 4.5
The Preston North End striker struggled at times in difficult conditions to hold the ball up. Improved after the break.
Substitutes
Robbie Brady & Harry Arter – 5
Neither had much of an impact.
