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Tonight's Ireland team minus Robbie Brady, who was mysteriously absent for the team photo. Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Player ratings: How the Boys in Green fared against Poland

We assess how Martin O’Neill’s men got on in this evening’s Euro 2016 qualifier at the Aviva Stadium.

Updated at 22.00

Shay Given: Arguably could have done better for the goal and didn’t have much of note to do otherwise. 5

Robbie Brady: A stray pass indicated nerves early on, and gave the ball away for Poland’s goal. His set pieces were also below par more often than not. 5

Marc Wilson: Could have been stronger for the goal, and made a few overly exuberant tackles. 5

John O’Shea: Turned his back for the goal and gave away the odd cheap free kick but looked solid otherwise. 6

Seamus Coleman: Offered a threat down the right flank at times, but final product could have been better. 6

Aiden McGeady: Unlucky with chipped effort that went just wide in the first half, but generally didn’t influence the game as he might have hoped and was subbed after 67 minutes. 5

Glenn Whelan: Made a few good interceptions but never really imposed himself on the game and was taken off late on. 5

James McCarthy: Didn’t do much wrong, and looked relatively assured in possession, but was quiet enough again. 6

Jon Walters: Proved a useful out ball in an Ireland attack short on physicality, but didn’t have enough of an impact to regularly worry the Poles. 6

Wes Hoolahan: Livelier than many of his teammates and played one particularly excellent through ball to Coleman, but his influence dwindled to an extent as the game wore on. 6

Robbie Keane: Looked ineffectual in the lone forward role and — except for one header that the keeper got down well to save — rarely had opportunities to add to his phenomenal goalscoring tally at international level. 5

Subs

James McClean: Offered more of a threat than McGeady and provided extra energy when he came on. 7

Shane Long: Scarcely had time to influence the game, but did well for the goal. 7

Manager

Martin O’Neill: Tactical tweaks invariably failed to yield dividends and his selection gambles didn’t pay off in most cases, but his subs made a difference. 6

LIVE: Ireland v Poland, Euro 2016 qualifier>

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Author
Paul Fennessy
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