When you get tackled by James McClean, you know all about it.
The story of the first half of the World Cup qualifier between the Republic of Ireland vs Austria in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium was that beautiful goal from Martin Hinteregger.
The Austrian met the ball from a corner kick and absolutely walloped it past everyone including Darren Randolph between the Irish posts. It was a well-worked set-piece finished superbly.
Credit where it’s due, it was a well-worked set-piece finished superbly.
Beautiful corner routine
Low drive to penalty spot. 2 Austrians drag their defenders out of the zone, Hinteregger moves in from the 2nd post pic.twitter.com/YjXZ6uur0i— Tiago Estêvão (@TiagoEstv) June 11, 2017
From an Irish perspective, the highlight of the first 45 minutes may very well have been James McClean’s perfectly legal, but heavy challenge on one of the Austrian players just moments before the goal went in.
The commentary team remarked, ‘Welcome to Dublin’ as the replays of the tackle were being shown.
He won’t be forgetting that one anytime soon.
James mcclean means business #IREAUS pic.twitter.com/wRJPsBGSIt
— Joe Travers (@godanicusmusic) June 11, 2017