1. Eerie atmosphere at the Aviva
JUST 27,100 PEOPLE turned out according to the official attendance figures for tonight’s Ireland-Georgia game.
And on the evidence of the first-half, it appeared those who stayed away made a wise decision.
Amid an almost eerily quiet first-half atmosphere at the Aviva, Ireland struggled to create a chance of note against an ordinary enough Georgia side.
The second half was better on both fronts, however, with the Irish team finally playing with a bit of tempo and the crowd responding passionately in turn.
The style of football remains less than enthralling for the most part, but with third place at least now a realistic prospect, you would expect a much greater attendance when world champions Germany come to Dublin in October.
2. Substitution key for O’Neill
The situation was looking dire for Ireland at half-time.
The Boys in Green had spent 45 minutes huffing and puffing but barely tested the Georgian goalkeeper at all.
Robbie Keane had another quiet game and was replaced by Shane Long at the break.
The difference was noticeable thereafter — Long brought pace and physicality to the Irish attack that was previously lacking, and suddenly a bit of intensity entered into Ireland’s play.
James McClean also brought some dynamism to the game when introduced, and the Irish side were much livelier as a consequence after the break.
3. Creativity still a concern for Ireland
The Boys in Green got the job done in the end, but even Martin O’Neill admitted after the game that the tentativeness and lack of creativity in the first half was worrying.
With three defensive midfielders, a forward line that conspicuously lacked pace and Wes Hoolahan being tightly marked, the hosts barely threatened the visitors’ goal in the first half.
The second half was a different story to an extent, however. There was a greater tempo to the Irish side’s play and the midfielders looked to be trying harder to make an impact in the final third.
James McCarthy got forward with increasing regularity while Jeff Hendrick played a key role in setting up Jon Walters’ all-important goal.
Yet it was work-rate and pressure, for the most part, rather than any great finesse that ultimately was good enough to break the Georgians down.
If an unlikely victory is to be secured against either Germany or Poland on the other hand, Ireland will surely need to improve substantially in the final third.
The fai should be given out free tickets to fill the stadium , kids should go free anyway .there was no atmosphere at all . Shocking
Modern fans respond to whats on pitch.. Old landsdowne before so much tv football fans were just happy to be there.. I half expect roy keane after the game to go into centre circle shouting ‘are you not entertained???!!’
170,000 turned up in Croke Park over the weekend to be entertained watching lads doing what they love for nothing… There’s lads out on that pitch tonight been paid 30k a week to play that garbage.. It’s a joke..
Having the match on a Monday night didn’t help
Do you really think the fellows who played in Croke Park get nothing? Don’t be foolish.
In my opinion it should be €30 a ticket for an adult and €5 for a child/OAP/student for midweek games, better to have the stadium full at them prices than embarrassingly empty at €50. Any tickets not sold 5 days before the game should be raffled among schools or clubs around the country for free, getting you people to the home of Irish football is how you get them hooked on the game, alas the FAI doesn’t have this vision, they just see euro signs when they open their eyes
Robbie Keane has been a great servant for the country. But alas, all GREAT things must come to an end. I think its time….sorry to say.
He should never have started!! Poor decision from O’Neill!! He should not be included in any more games.
Yeah because 68 international goals is not enough.
At least MON copped the error at half time. No way Keane v Germany or Poland. No way!
Impact sub. Still bet your house on him with a penalty.
Bet your house on anyone to take a penalty!! History also doesn’t mean anything. He has been poor for a few games now!! Should we bring back Liam Brady or Stapleton as they both scored plenty of goals in the past too?
No David because they’re in the their fifties and sixties and i think they’re retired – Robbie Keane is currently still playing football at a league one level and is in his thirties. I’m sorry if its all a bit confusing for you. Maybe football just isn’t your thing.
Robbie is still a very, very good player but Ireland aren’t able to play the type of football to get him in the position he needs to excel. Probably is time he was used as impact sub, when chasing the game and the ball is constantly in the melting pot, he’s the man you want there. As poor as long & Walters were against Scotland, that’s the front two we now have to be playing
I don’t buy this impact sub stuff at all, Robbie just doesn’t have the energy, mobility or pace to do that, it’d be a wasted substitution.
Sargent….believe what you want but perhaps you should keep up little boy as your sweetheart Keane was yet again garbage. Go back to supporting Rugger old boy…. Cos you know Fvck all about football!!
No wonder the place was half empty when the greedy FAI were charging 50€ for a ticket.Absolutely ridiculous price to go and watch two poor sides in Ireland and Georgia.Of course all that money goes straight into the pocket of John Delaney as well
@David garland if you wanna talk about GAA go do it on a GAA, article. I’m sure if those players had a choice being paid they would! either way the lads in the aviva are you there best for their country so either back them or f##k off!!!
Much better atmosphere in the second half which really seemed to give the players a lift
Brian Kerr on commentary on 2fm couldn’t believe the price of tickets last night. Said if he was an average punter he would have given it a miss.
Well it looks like the muppets will get tosee us without whelan.
Gaa my hole,Kilkenny win playing 2 matches again Kerry and Dublin again,pure muck,can’t wait till the rugby World Cup is over,no gaa or rugby just skilled people doing what they do best(except for Glenn whelan)
The attendance numbers don’t lie. So many soccer games are poor spectacles. Punters want value for their own money and the FAI or MON’s team cannot deliver any.
You call that muck skill…………
I imagine a McCarthy-Hoolahan-Hendrick combo in midfield might not serve to break up Germany play as much, but we should be more effective in the spells where we have it. I’m not saying it’ll be tiki taka, but it’s got to be better than my lasting memory of GW from the night, robbing the ball of Wes around the 30th minute and his first touch took it 10m in front of him to a Georgian. Rough to watch!