Republic of Ireland 0 Northern Ireland 0.
Martin O’Neill’s side played out a goalless draw with Michael O’Neill’s team and were fortunate not to lose.
The North were limited, but were significantly better organised than the Republic. They had a gameplan and some structure to their play. If they had been clinical, they would have won this game.
The Republic of Ireland were, once again, disappointing and posed very little threat to their opponents.
Here’s how we rated the players:
Darren Randolph – 8
The Middlesbrough goalkeeper made one really good save from Gavin Whyte’s close-range effort in the first half and was the busier of the two goalkeepers. He then made three decisive saves in the second half and stopped his side from falling to another defeat. A calm presence behind an otherwise shaky Ireland side.
Seamus Coleman – 5
Towards the end of the first half, Callum Robinson dropped deep, collected the ball, got his head up and sprayed a pass out to Coleman on the right wing. It was as though Ireland just remembered that Coleman was playing in the game – that’s how underutilised the Everton full-back was on Ireland’s right-hand side.
O’Neill may consider Coleman to be world class, but he needs to find a way to get him onto the ball.
John Egan – 5.5
The Sheffield United defender earned his third Republic of Ireland cap against Northern Ireland. Egan started alongside Duffy and Lenihan in a back-three and was forced to cut back inside onto his stronger right foot, which meant the ball often went to Duffy and then back to Randolph and was then hoofed away. Egan was defensively sound though.
Shane Duffy – 5
Ireland’s main attacking threat had a couple of half chances for headers in Northern Ireland’s penalty area. He was caught out in the first half when he mistimed a header near his own goal and a better side may have punished his error
Darragh Lenihan – 4
The Blackburn Rovers defender struggled on his second appearance for Ireland. Lenihan looked uncertain and jittery on the right side of the back three. Stuart Dallas cruised by him and exposed his relative lack of pace towards the end of the first half and Northern Ireland had a lot of joy down his side. He gifted them a late chance and was bailed out by Randolph.
The Meath-native was a surprise inclusion in the starting line-up and probably didn’t do enough to keep his spot for the Denmark match.
James McClean – 4
Almost every Ireland goal kick appeared to be aimed at McClean, and it’s difficult to remember him winning a single aerial challenge. He was frequently out of position and his first touch often let him down. The Stoke City winger worked hard and didn’t give the opposition much time on the ball. But, based on his time at wing back for Ireland, he doesn’t seem suited to the position.
Glenn Whelan – 6
On his 85th and final Ireland cap, Whelan captained the side and was the team’s best player for the 36 minutes he was on the field. He was neat in possession and helped stub out a few Northern Ireland attacks.
Jeff Hendrick – 4
The Burnley midfielder was largely anonymous during the first half. He rarely got on the ball and often pointed for others to receive it instead. Hendrick is a talented footballer, and his performances at Euro 2016 showed he can be a big player for Ireland. Too often though, he has had displays like this one against Northern Ireland.
Robbie Brady – 5
On his first Ireland appearance for a year, Brady started in central midfield, but he didn’t get much chance to showcase his ability on the ball. And when he did have possession, he didn’t have many options for a pass. But he was, as always, a threat from set-pieces with his deliveries.
Callum O’Dowda – 4
O’Dowda appeared to be starting behind Robinson, but was completely anonymous in the match. He is a winger playing as an attacking midfielder though, so it’s difficult to be too harsh on him. He was substituted at half-time for Ronan Curtis.
Callum Robinson – 5
Robinson earned his fourth cap for Ireland in the match, starting as the lone striker, and was isolated throughout.
He made runs for the ball, and came short looking for a pass, but his teammates rarely picked him out.
Considering Robinson plays alongside Maguire every week for Preston North End, it feels like a missed opportunity to not start the pair together.
Substitutes
Conor Hourihane – 5
The Aston Villa midfielder replaced Whelan and was the deepest of Ireland’s midfield three, but he failed to get to keep Steven Davis quiet.
Ronan Curtis – 5
Curtis made his first appearance for Ireland on the night, but the Portsmouth forward was rarely involved,
Enda Stevens – 5
On for the final 25 minutes, Stevens was rarely tested. He arguably should have been given the chance to start the game.
Sean Maguire – N/A
The Preston forward also came on 25 minutes before the end, and struggled to cope physically with Northern Ireland. He was forced off injured after just 10 minutes.
Scott Hogan & Cyrus Christie – N/A
Neither were on the pitch long enough to be rated.
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