It was only Moldova, but then, these days, Ireland are often only Ireland. After the results in September, the win in the Aviva was the only thing that mattered to Martin O’Neill’s side, but the energy and drive of his team in the first half would have given him heart before Monday’s game in Cardiff.
Improbably, Ireland could win on Monday and top the group. More probably, they will fight with Wales for a victory that would take either side to the play-off but as O”Neill said on Friday night, nothing has surprised him in this group.
Friday night at the Aviva was a gentle loosener for Monday night. It was only Moldova, but still Ireland could be encouraged by the goals of Daryl Murphy, the vision of Wes Hoolahan and the fearlessness of Callum O’Dowda.
Two of the three combined for Ireland’s second goal when Hoolahan hit a forty yard ball to Stephen Ward’s feet and his cross found Murphy who brilliantly headed the ball back across goal into the net.
And this was a night when O’Dowda made his mark. He has shown whenever he has appeared for Ireland that he has the ability to create space and keep play moving in an efficient and intelligent way.
When O’Neill spoke on Thursday about the reasons he was looking forward to staying on as manager, he mentioned the players in their mid-twenties who would take over from the bunch who may retire whenever this campaign ends.
O’Dowda is younger than that at 22, but once again he gave an indication here that he can deliver for Ireland. Of course, it was only Moldova but that didn’t matter at this stage of the group. Wales’s victory in Tbilisi meant it was essential to win and that was a situation full of pressure for anyone, especially a player making his first competitive start.
If O’Neill will look to these players in the future – with Robbie Brady, James McClean and Jon Walters missing here – he needed someone to make something happen. Hoolahan did that – although the fear now is that he won’t play on Monday having stayed on the pitch for 77 minutes here – and O’Dowda contributed too.
In the first 90 seconds, Stephen Ward took a long throw, Shane Duffy and Ciaran Clark confused a couple of defenders and the ball dropped to Daryl Murphy who hooked it into the net.
Ireland had the goal. Unfortunately, if you were of an anxious frame of mind (and who among Irish supporters isn’t?) they also had our old friend, the early goal.
Moldova showed some technical touches and Darren Randolph made a fine save, but this wasn’t a night to worry. That is coming.
The two goals scored by Ireland at home in this group had come from Seamus Coleman and Jon Walters and the top scorer in this campaign James McClean was missing as well so Murphy’s goals were welcomed.
The future, whatever happens in Cardiff, will now involve Martin O’Neill and the decision to announce his renewed contract the day before the game didn’t become any less baffling because of this result.
If it had been worse, of course, it would have seemed particularly strange, but Ireland could avoid that worry at least, but there are other matters of concern.
As the game went on and Shane Long continued to miss whatever chances came to him, it was creating another issue for O’Neill when he selects his team on Monday.
For Long, it wasn’t only Moldova. It was the chance to score for the first time since February and his failures indicated his struggles.
He had started by missing from 12 yards when O’Dowda delivered a perfectly weighted cross into his path. Long placed the ball low and aimed for the inside of the post. Instead he took out the water bottle on the other side of the post.
He then blasted straight at the Moldovan goalkeeper in a manner which revealed everything about his confidence.
In the second half, he missed again, a chance which he may have wished hadn’t landed at his feet. Hoolahan played a ball behind O’Dowda as Ireland broke forward. It was a bad ball, forcing O’Dowda inside and his attempt ended up at Long’s feet and his shot skidded wide.
The goal should have been scored before it came to Long, but that didn’t matter, the miss was the only thing that mattered. Soon the crowd were chanting for Seanie Maguire and when he replaced Long nine minutes from the end, a couple of fans were making the ‘we’re not worthy’ gesture.
O’Neill will have McClean and Brady back in Cardiff and his cautious nature was on display here as he waited for 77 minutes to make a substitution. O’Dowda showed that there is something beyond the usual cast if O’Neill is brave in Cardiff while Murphy’s goals offered a contrast to one man who is struggling.
When the crowd cheered and made the ‘we’re not worthy’ gesture as one man came off and Maguire came on, it may have been for Long, but it seemed unlikely. On Sunday, it will be two years since Long’s goal against Germany but Ireland might need another hero on a night where anything could happen.
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