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The Irish huddle before kick-off.

Here's how we think the Boys in Green rated in their World Cup play-off

Ireland’s hopes of reaching the finals in Russia were ended tonight.

Darren Randolph 8 - Man of the match on Saturday night, Randolph was strangely the team’s best player, despite conceding five goals, thanks to several fine saves.

Cyrus Christie 5 - Went on a rare run to create a chance for himself — just as he did in the first leg – but overall a difficult night for the full-back.

Shane Duffy 6 - The Brighton defender rose highest above Simon Kjaer to head home an early goal, and threatened again in the second half.

Ciaran Clark 6 - Did okay until he was replaced by Shane Long with 20 minutes on the clock.

Stephen Ward 4 - An extremely poor performance. Robbed of possession by Poulsen when he should have played the simple pass and later teed up Eriksen for his hat-trick.

David Meyler 5 - Back in to captain the side after serving his suspension, the midfielder was put on the right side of a diamond and didn’t look comfortable. Substituted at the break.

Harry Arter 5 - His pressing and work ethic can never be called into question, but the Bournemouth man was done badly with a nutmeg by Sisto for Denmark’s goal. Whipped off at half-time.

Jeff Hendrick 4 - Hendrick has provided a couple of big moments in an Ireland shirt, but he was horribly anonymous tonight and should probably have been taken off.

Robbie Brady 5 - Like his Burnley team-mate, Brady was hugely disappointing. Nowhere near good enough.

James McClean 6 - Never stopped running but didn’t make good use of the ball often enough when in possession and conceded a late penalty.

Daryl Murphy 5 - Kept his place ahead of Shane Long and came close with a first-time finish in the first half but didn’t have much joy other than that.

Substitutes 

Wes Hoolahan 5 - The Norwich City schemer tried to influence the game in a positive way upon his introduction but it wasn’t to be.

Aiden McGeady 5 - A half-time substitute alongside Hoolahan, McGeady couldn’t affect the game either.

Shane Long 4 - Had a golden opportunity to break his lengthy goal duck, but couldn’t find the back of the net.

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‘This is stuff you dream of as a kid. Everybody wants to play at a World Cup and we’re 90 minutes away’

Author
Ben Blake
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