Ireland 0-0 England
No goals, not much entertainment and, thankfully, no trouble to report. There was always going to be hype around an Ireland-England fixture but it’s hard to look beyond the fact that this was nothing more than a warm-up game ahead of next weekend.
Martin O’Neill used the opportunity to get another look at players on the fringes and attentions now turn to Scotland, where victory is essential if Ireland are to have any hope of making Euro 2016.
Full-time: Ireland 0 England 0
Walters robs Jagielka but falls over the Everton defender and concedes a free-kick. The Ireland fans aren’t happy with that decision.
Townsend’s drive is parried by Given and the ball is chipped back in where Coleman has to head away.
Theo Walcott is on for Lallana, meanwhile.
Barkley holds onto the ball too long and is robbed. Ireland pour forward in numbers and Arter then blasts a shot past Hart’s goal.
Two changes for England – Phil Jagielka for Cahill and Jamie Vardy for Rooney. It’s the Leicester City man’s debut.
Barkley lashes the ball over the bar, then plays a beautiful ball to Milner after a surging run. McClean has tracked his man all the way and makes a timely challenge to win Ireland a goal-kick.
Sterling goes to ground easy and the ref is having none of it. Minutes later, the ball falls to the feet of Henderson and he blazes over.
That’s Sterling’s final involvement. He leaves with Andros Townsend coming on. Everton’s Ross Barkley has also just replaced Wilshere.
SENIOR INTERNATIONAL DEBUT KLAXON! Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter is introduced with Whelan making way.
Decent opportunity for Ireland. McClean lays off to Walters and his drive it batted away by Hart. McGeady follows up but takes a poor touch and the chance is gone.
England are probing for an opener again with Rooney and Jones both failing to test Westwood with headers.
And here comes Shay Given to take the Ireland keeper’s place. The Aston Villa man is getting a half hour.
Rooney looks to score with a free-kick from 25 yards but it’s comfortable for Westwood to catch.
Another Irish change – Murphy leaves the pitch for Jon Walters. He will be kicking himself that he didn’t stake a claim for the Scotland game with a goal.
England work the ball well with Lallana and Sterling involved. Henderson gets a shot 20 yards out and it’s blocked as far as Sterling. He attempts to curl the ball into the top corner but is unable to find the target.
A Brady free-kick runs through to Hart and bounces out off the Man City keeper’s chest.
Wilson is caught out by Henderson and he threads the ball into the feet of Rooney, who looks to be through one-on-one. His touch is horribly heavy, however, and the ball runs through to Westwood.
The teams are back out on the pitch and Ireland have made two changes. Shane Long, who scored when the sides last met at Wembley in 2013, is on for David McGoldrick, while James McClean replaces James McCarthy. That second switch means Hendrick is moved into the middle, with McGeady going right and McClean on the left.
Half-time: Ireland 0-0 England
Lallana has a pop from distance and Westwood dives but it’s a couple of yards over the bar.
Down the other end, McGeady plays in Goldrick, whose left-footed shot is blocked behind for a corner. They keep the pressure on and earn another corner before the whistle goes for half-time.
A bit of back and forth from both ends of the ground now. England kick off with God Save The Queen, before Ireland’s singing section belt out The Fields of Athenry. All very jovial.
Hendrick blocks Bertrand and England have a free-kick in a decent area. Lallana clips it to the back post but Smalling misjudges the flight of the ball.
Chance! Yet another set-piece from Brady is sent into a dangerous area where Murphy is on-hand to direct it disappointingly off-target. You would expect better from the Championship’s top scorer.
More decent passages of play from Ireland. Murphy and McGoldrick have been excellent in holding the ball up and bringing other players into play.
The best chance of the game by a long way. A long ball is headed into the path of Murphy by Hendrick and he shoots just wide of Hart’s post with the outside of his boot.
JD showing major PDA.
Sterling has been heavily-involved in the last few minutes but he is getting jeered and booed for every touch. Presumably Liverpool fans but it would make you laugh.
An Ireland free-kick is whipped in with venom from Brady and Rooney has to stretch to take it off the toe of Hendrick. From the corner, the Derby County midfielder connects with a header but it’s weak and Hart collects.
Brady hits Raheem Sterling with a heavy (but fair) challenge and the Liverpool man goes down holding his face.
England’s first corner is cleared and McGeady looks to find McCarthy on the break but he is snuffed out.
Wayne Rooney with his first meaningful touch as he looks to find some space on the edge of the box but the Manchester United captain goes down very easily under a challenge from Marc Wilson. Referee waves play on.
The Boys in Green have begun promisingly here and have had all the possession in the opening seven minutes. They earn a third corner and Hart comes to punch, before Hendrick fouls Lallana.
Great feet from Seamus Coleman there to get away to two opponents and earn a free-kick.
Ireland have set up in a 4-4-2 with Jeff Hendrick taking up a position on the right wing, McGeady on the opposite side and Whelan partnering McCarthy in midfield. That leaves Murphy and McGoldrick up front.
Ireland kick-off and are immediately on the attack. They win two corners in quick succession but Northern Irish referee Arnold Hunter then gives a free-kick to England. Bright start.
That’s the two national anthems out of the way, where there was (expectedly) more booing from the Ireland fans during God Save The Queen. Right, let’s get to the football.
The England fans attempt to get a chant going but it’s roundly booed by the home supporters.
We’re 15 minutes away from kick-off and the stadium is filling up nicely. There’s a huge roar from both sets of fans as Jack Charlton is introduced to the crowd. Nice touch.
Fans having fun with a cardboard cut-out of Sepp Blatter outside the stadium earlier.
IRELAND: Westwood, Coleman, Wilson, O’Shea (c), Brady, McCarthy, Whelan, Hendrick, McGeady, McGoldrick, Murphy.
ENGLAND: Hart, Jones, Cahill, Smalling, Bertrand, Henderson, Wilshere, Milner, Lallana, Sterling, Rooney.
The big news from an Irish point of view is that Keiren Westwood starts in goal ahead of Shay Given, David Forde and Darren Randolph, while Ipswich Town duo Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick are named in attack.
It look like a 4-3-3 with Robbie Brady continuing at left full-back and James McCarthy, Glenn Whelan and Jeff Hendrick in midfield. That would leave Aiden McGeady joining Murphy and McGoldrick in a front three.
England, meanwhile, have named a strong starting XI. Jack Wilshere joins Liverpool pair Jordan Henderson and James Milner in the centre of the park and it’s two more Reds players — Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling — are alongside Wayne Rooney up top.
GOOD AFTERNOON AND welcome along to the Aviva Stadium, where we’re in our seats for a particularly early kick-off. 20 years on from one of the darkest nights in the history of Irish football, England return to Dublin for what’s sure to be a much more pleasant experience.
There’s a strong Garda presence in the city centre and around the stadium but so far, so good, as no trouble has been reported. We’re just under an hour away from kick-off and the teams have just dropped.
Pleasantly surprised with that team selection. Great to see Lowry get a chance. Would have liked to have seen Coombes or Timoney and Carty on the bench over Sexton/Conan as we know what they can do. Pretty sure Baloucoune, Conway, Ryan all have knocks, weren’t training anyway. Great to see Lowe back after his impressive last few months. People like to not like him but he offers something we don’t have, a savage left boot (only option in squad) and and the KBA- spoke about by ROG is prominent throughout the 80 mins. Him, Carbery, Hansen, Lowry and Ringrose all playmakers which is a real plus. Italy will struggle to cope. Ireland by 35…
@Stanley: good call with team selection except Lowe .
@Stanley: O’Mahoney really shouldn’t be playing this type of game. Everyone already know what he brings, which is very little. Should have tried someone like coombes there.
@Dave Moran: need a bit of balance and a leader for the troops. His experience will help the other lads settle in on the pitch, and he’s a great captain. He’s not in the plans long term but he’s a savage option for this game
@Sean Barry: talk to someone it will help
@Dave Moran: So O’ Mahoney brings very little. Take off those blue tinted glasses.
@Dave Moran:….sorry, disagree….we know what we missed vs France , experienced leadership….worth his place for that.
@Dave Moran: and you as a self proclaimed English man shouldn’t be commenting on here
@Sean Barry: the guy says he’d rather see Coombes ahead of O’Mahony and you say he has blue tinted glasses. Either you haven’t a clue what you’re taking about or you flew into a Munster rage without reading the full reply.
@Sean Barry: keep posting mate. It’s guys like you who have told Lowry his whole career he won’t make it. Currently a nominee for European player of the year and now an international.
@Sean Barry: lol, the lad that will probably bag a hat-trick in the same match, yeah terrible selection.
@Dave Moran: Haven’t been O’Mahony’s biggest fan but he has been playing out of his skin since last autumn. If people can’t see that they are actively choosing not to. Also, given the poor decision making 2 weeks ago, leadership is an issue for this group.
Baird and Treadwell is a bit of a concern in terms of 2nd row options. We look light there.
Great to see Lowry and Sheehan start. They deserve a shot. Great to see Hume, Casey and Kilcoyne involved too. Kilcoyne definitely a better bench option than Healy
@Dave Moran: I’m Leinster through and through but in fairness to O Mahoney he is playing great ball these days. He is a senior player and has massive experience. He deserves his place in the squad, it’s only a pity that by him being there Coombes misses out on the experience but you can have it every way
@Eoin Roche: And miss three tackles in return
@Stanley: I agree. POM will first of all help a line out composed of two locks who’ve never played together before. But also he is an excellent leader. Personally as a Leinster man I think he’s underrated by many Ireland fans outside of Munster. Only real issue I have is id like to have seen Coombes start but all in all I think this is the right team for this game.
@Sean Barry: I suppose you would have went for Zebo??
@Emmet Martin: re POM, agreed that he’s been playing well, but is he going to be around for the World Cup? His experience got him sent off V wales and he got dropped from the squad for the lions. Would have preferred coombes & Carty instead of Conan & sexto. Nice to see Lowry, Lowe and henshaw start. Green Tinted glasses
@Sean Barry: is coombes heading to Dublin as part of the Jenkins deal?
@Dave Moran: Coombes is a number 8
@Pete Slattery ✏️: To add to the mix I would prefer to see Coombes ahead of Conan on the bench. Jack has been very poor in the last two games.
@Sean Barry: Jim? Is that you?
@Will: zebo Well passed it. Lamour all day long.
@Jeremy Kilpatrick: being nominated isn’t quiet the achievement people make … Jimmy O’Brien is nominated too.
@Danger: yes, O’Mahony probably will be in the Irish squad for RWC. Don’t think that’s particularly far fetched? He’ll be just turning 34. Will probably be captain for some of the easier pool games.
@Emmet Martin: I hope not. He won’t be in the 23 for the big games. Why bring someone who is not pushing for selection for the 23?
@whoowhat?: a touch of dictatorship with that comment, ign0rant at best.
@Dave Moran: Line-out. You have a new hooker starting and with him you need an experienced leader calling the the throws. Also Baird’s first start and POM gives us another option in the line-out. Horses for courses. Great balance in the forwards. Good call by Farrell.
@Dave Moran: very little? You clearly know f all about rugby
@Dave Moran: Cop yourself on, O’Mahony brings very little ? Ridiculous Leinster type comment, put on your bloody green jersey and not the blue one, no wonder Leinster are despised outside the M50.
@Emmet Martin: Treadwell is 6ft 7 & 18.5 stone. Not exactly light haha
Congratulations to Michael Lowry, well deserved.
@Bob Cummings: has the potential to be a 10. Cracking footballer
Great to see Mike Lowry in there. He has been genuinely thrilling to watch at times this season. TV does not do justice to his acceleration.
@Justin Robinson: when he opens his legs, do you get excited?
@Danger: perv
Happy enough with this selection, great chance for carbery to try stake his claim . Delighted fo Lowry , he’s been amazing for ulster since he came in . Hopefully he can bring that same intent to the national squad . Would have liked to see Hume starting this one though , we are all very familiar with the other midfield combinations.
Very harsh on Larmour considering Hansen is primarily a left wing and wouldnt be played there against any top nation. Farrell clearly not a fan even though he has been in good form. Excited to see Lowry in full back..
@Dave Moran: labour over Lowe any day.
@Sean Barry: keep dreaming have u not watched Lowe this season
@Dave Moran: Last time they met Hansen have a lovely try that involved an unfortunate a$$ to face tackle technique from Larmour… Bruising, ego wise
@thesaltyurchin: was that the game Hansen made a fantastic try saving tackle on Dan Shehan
@Sean Barry: ‘labour over Lowe any day.’ well they are both supposed to be left wingers
@Dave Moran: crying a river that there ANY non Leinster players in an Irish rugby team
@Dave Moran: there’s enough leinster players on I’d say. Larmour hasn’t performed in a green Jersey. He had his chance
Glorious! Christmas has come early ^^*
Only one missing for me is Robert Baloucoune
@GrassHopper: he’s injured
Looking at the bench, Farrell must be looking to move Carbery to fullback if lowery needs to come off.
Exciting experimental team here.
@Aaron Tynan: Hansen or Henshaw can also cover full back. Lowry can also cover 10 and I would expect to see him offering himself as an option in the 10 channel as the game progresses.
Down to 12 Leinster International picks this time prefer to see Harry Byrne twiddling his thumbs rather than wasting Jacks time again. France is beckoning
Great to see Lowry getting a start
With six changes (plus 1 positional) from the team that started against France, anything other than a comfortable bonus point win and Farrell risks being very conservative in his future selections.
Just asking what Treadwell is like, haven’t seen him play much, is he a ball playing or grunting forward
@Michael Hanrahan: He’s a younger, poorer, English version of Ross Moloney.
@Michael Hanrahan: He’s a mobile lock who likes to carry and get his hands free. He’s nothing like Molony, Molony is more like O’Connor.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: I meant in terms of quality. He also seems like a bit of a penalty machine? Even for Ulster I would take O’Connor ahead of him.
@Richard James: I’d take O’Connor too but I think AF selected him for his mobility, he’s more mobile than AOC and RM. And it’s a bit harsh to call him a penalty machine based on the one mad tip tackle against Munster.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: 3 penelties this season to malonys 6. Albeit Molony has played nearly twice as much. Can’t see how you can lable one a penalty machine when both are about even.
Jack Carty hard done by again