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Player ratings: How the Boys in Green fared tonight

Martin O’Neill’s men earned a hard-fought victory over Moldova.

Darren Randolph: Was rarely tested but solid when he needed to be and could do little about the goal. 6

Seamus Coleman: Caused the Moldovans plenty of problems down their left-hand side and did very well to set up the third goal. 8

Shane Duffy: Was badly caught out of position for the Moldova goal and looked nervy thereafter. 5

Ciaran Clark: Didn’t come under too much pressure but did the basics well. 6

Stephen Ward: Was a threat down the left early on but his influence faded in the second half. 6

Glenn Whelan: Looked a little slow and gave the ball away cheaply at times, and wasn’t really a game that suited his attributes, but did what was expected of him. 6

James McCarthy: Didn’t look fully fit and his decision-making wasn’t the best at times, but stuck to the task manfully. 6

Jon Walters: Improved when he became the main striker, holding the ball up well and assisting for the crucial second goal. 7

James McClean: Becoming a key player for Ireland. Not everything came off for McClean, but importantly, he didn’t let his head drop and took his two goals very well. 8

Wes Hoolahan: A deserving man of the match, Hoolahan laid on a gorgeous pass for the first goal and had a hand in the third. Crucially, he makes those around him play better. 8

Shane Long: Finished coolly for the opening goal and his hold-up play improved from Thursday night, before he unfortunately departed the field injured. 7

Substitutes: Callum O’Dowda, David Meyler and Eunan O’Kane did little wrong, but didn’t really get many chances to impose themselves on the game. 6

Martin O’Neill: Few people could have argued with his starting XI or substitutions — a decent night’s work. 7

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Here’s the classy goal that put Ireland ahead after one minute and 56 seconds tonight>

Former Player of the Year Brennan leaves Shamrock Rovers by mutual consent>

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Paul Fennessy
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