Ireland 1 Poland 1: Player ratings
16 Shay Given 6/10
Nothing to do really. Peszko’s goal was a curling, left footed strike.
Encouraging to see him start again as one of the great international careers is revived.
2 Seamus Coleman 6/10
Poor shot on 82 minutes. Ireland’s third yellow card was an example of the obvious nature of their fouling. In contrast Poland were more physical. Still, he was Ireland’s most forceful attacker until James McClean’s arrival.
3 Marc Wilson 5/10
Must shoulder partial blame for Poland’s goal as he could have covered Brady’s error but was out muscled by Maciej Rybus. Decent header from Brady’s corner but it was straight at Swansea City’s goalkeeper.
4 John O’Shea 6/10
Took a yellow card for the second time he belted into Robert Lewandowski. Understandable behaviour considering the Bayern Munich striker's ability and goal threat.
19 Robbie Brady 6/10
Shook off a self-inflicted psychological cloud, having gifted Peszko his goal, with the corner that led to the equaliser. Ireland’s most naturally gifted footballer should be forgiven.
8 James McCarthy 6/10
One of his worst opening 45 minutes for Ireland. Did nothing overly wrong but was unable to dominate the Poland midfield. For a change he wasn’t outnumbered, just out played. But he recovered and finished strong.
6 Glenn Whelan 5/10
Tough night with little influence. Pressurised and ultimately out played in the midfield stakes. Replaced by Shane Long for those last desperate moments.
7 Aiden McGeady 6/10
44th minute: put two Poles on their backsides with a delicate chest and feint before chipping wide. It was Ireland’s first chance. There were few more and was eventually replaced by McClean.
20 Wesley Hoolahan 7/10
Created Shane Long’s goal. Kept up the terrier work-rate and distribution was good but he looked a lightweight among bruising Polish midfielders. Drifting out to the left increased his influence.
14 Jon Walters 6/10
The only genuinely physical outlet, being shifted up alongside Keane to make Ireland the dangerous proposition that they should have been from the start.
10 Robbie Keane 5
Besides a weak 72nd minute header he was ineffective. Again. Isolated, it’s hardly surprising that he barely got a kick, besides from the boots of Glik and Olkowski, as he looked every one of his 34 years.
Bench 8
Shane Long was the hero. James McClean’s neat cross for the Keane header and crunching 73rd minute tackle on Arkadiusz Milik woke the crowd from its slumber.
Manager 7
Martin O’Neill’s starting XI must be lauded but initially leaving Keane up front on his own meant Ireland were largely a blunt attacking entity. He reacted cleverly. Saved by Long and McClean.
