It wasn’t even a mistake.
Darren Randolph is a good guy and he has served Ireland well from October right through ’til the last week of June. But, on Monday night, he was not the best player in Belgrade. He wasn’t even the best player on his goal line.
Ireland drew 2-2 with Serbia in their World Cup qualifying opener but despite the home side’s dominance, O’Neill’s men were not kept in it by their ‘keeper. They were kept in it in spite of their ‘keeper.
No matter what RTÉ’s co-commentator thought.
https://twitter.com/lita_curran/status/772906287201972226
Serbia missed a bagful of chances – most of which were gifted to them by big Darren – and the player ratings in the aftermath of the game read like this:
Darren Randolph 3
Flapped at a ball that rebounded into the air and it had to be cleared off the line.
Made a good save in the first half but was lucky that it wasn’t put away at the second time of asking and he got fortunate again after the break with a dangerous parry right into a Serbian’s foot before an attempted catch in his chest bounced off him and Serbia hit the crossbar.
Keiren Westwood won’t be too disheartened.
It was just an awful night for the Bray man between the sticks in dire conditions. It happens. But, whilst there might not have been a massive pool to choose from, Ronnie Whelan thought Randolph’s shift deserved a man of the match trophy.
Uncomfortable viewing followed as Tony O’Donoghue was forced to ask Darren Randolph about his man of the match performance. And Darren Randolph was forced to talk about his man of the match performance. Meanwhile, he was holding a man of the match vase to mark his man of the match shift and it was all just bonkers.
Thankfully, someone in RTÉ had the good nature to intervene and just cut the interview and put Tony, Darren himself and all the viewers at home out of their awkward misery.
Darragh Maloney can't take any more of this Darren Randolph man of the match bullshit, just ends the show instead
— Conán Doherty (@ConanDoherty) September 5, 2016
But it didn’t make anyone feel any better about what they had just witnessed.
And the award for most awkward interviwee ever goes to Darren Randolph. @RTEsoccer #COYBIG
— James Fenton (@fentonjames16) September 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/Brianzy24/status/772904239278485505
Whelan claimed the ‘keeper made one mistake all night. Not everyone agreed.
We politely disagree with Ronnie's suggestion that Darren Randolph should be named MOTM
— Second Captains (@SecondCaptains) September 5, 2016
Not everyone was as diplomatic either.
Darren Randolph Man of the match. That is shocking. Worst game ever for Ireland. Looked nervous all night.
— Noel O Keeffe (@keeffe_noel) September 5, 2016
He didn’t ask for man of the match in fairness.
Darren Randolph seemed as shocked as every one else that he was man of the match
— Liam Aherne (@laherne84) September 5, 2016
The calls have begun.
https://twitter.com/brianmcd87/status/772896673483939840
Perhaps more important calls need to be made in the studio though.
What game was Ronnie Whelan watching? Darren Randolph #ManoftheMatch?? #hapless #Ireland
— Car Hire Trawler (@carhiretrawler) September 5, 2016
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