Fantastic match and a very good result sums it up for me. We dominated the game from start to finish and on the balance of play probably deserved to win by a couple of goals. That said a draw away to Italy is a more than decent outcome and sets us up for our crucial game against Bulgaria with group very evenly poised between Bulgaria, Italy and ourselves. Thought Italy were awful. Couldn't pass the ball, had very little penetration other than right full and didn't boss the game like I feared they would.
One thing that stood out for me above all else tonight was the character all the Irish players showed. They showed a great amount of determination in everything they did whether it be to close players down, win a tackle or pass the ball. Everything they did was done with conviction and determination. Not sure I've ever seen an Irish side as motivated as this side were tonight. Hugely impressive. Thought Trap's substitutions worked very well and he was brave to do them early. His side went out with a good attitude and reminded me of the way Martin O'Neill's Celtic sides used to go out bursting a gut to get the result.
Analysis given by Dunphy there at the end was just silly. We displayed huge courage there and tactically we got it right. As someone else mentioned he had that script written this morning. Looking at Dunphy to be honest I have a feeling he was willing us to lose. I thought Giles analysis was very good though and we can criticise the way the team performed on Saturday. Thought the way he cut through the bull of some football cliques was spot on also. I do accept the point though that no matter how much freedom or whatever you give the likes of McShane it is his lack of ability which hinders him. Calling him a failed manager though is harsh. Anyway too much talk on RTE's analysis
Given 6 - Nothing to do. Loved the attitude he set in sprinting for the balls when it went behind.
McShane - 2 Horror show at fullback. Ball in behind him caught him out time and again. Showed a bit of heart to get forward well but didn't deliver much. One incident where he let ball go out for a throw in when all he had to do was run onto a pass summed up his lack of technical ability.
O'Shea - 7.5 Was lucky not to give away a peno for blatant shirt pulling. Apart from that though he was his usual self in an Irish shirt since Trap has taken over. Good hunger, got on the ball a bit and defended well
Dunne - 8 Put in one crunching tackle where he should have been penalised. Got on ball well, what he did he did well
Kilbane - 8 Most of their attacks went down other flank so didn't have that much defending to do. One decent effort and a couple of good crosses also. Boucned back well from weekend. Strong character
Hunt - 8 Tried the same trick of looking for a fowl again and again but it worked more often than not. Was afraid he was going to get sent off but I really like his workrate and will to win. Could have done better crossing the ball but had huge workrate.
Andrews - 7.5 Had an impressive 55 odd minutes. Passed the ball well and probably unlucky to be taken off. Encouraging
Whelan - 7 Got one or two good tackles in. Good determination to push his teammate out of the way to continue pushing forward with the ball in the second half.
Keogh - 3 Was mainly at fault for their goal where he fell asleep for a couple of seconds. Wasn't good on the ball for his 20 odd minutes. Felt sorry for him but apparently he has good aspects to his game from central positions which we'll see soon enough
Doyle - 6 Worked hard but to no real avail. Cannavora had the better of him mostly. Was very surprised to see him being taken off but it probably worked though I would have fancied him for that chance at the end
Keane - 7.5 Linked play well at times but would have liked to see him push a little further forward and not play alongside our two central midfielders so much. Good finish though could well have had another.
Folan - 7.5 Pleasantly surprised. Did well with ball at his feet, closed them down very well, set up two very good chances for us. Isn't as slow as I thought
Gibson - 6 Passed the ball decently. Crossed the ball poorly. Looks a more confident player for us than a few months back though
Hunt - 6.5 Worked very well. Great tackle after his introduction. Could have had a goal near the end and think he may have had one if he wasn't so knackered after celebrating Keane's goal
Originally Posted by irishultra
Trapatonni was born lucky on Paddys Day
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