Despite only being given a meagre half an hour to prove his worth at international level, Wes Hoolahan undoubtedly took his chance last night.
The player made a noticeable impact when he arrived on the field of play, demonstrating superior technical ability to almost anyone else in a green jersey on the night.
What separated him from his teammates was not just his class, but the manner in which he visibly demanded the ball anytime it was in his vicinity.
He topped the performance off with an accomplished finish for Ireland’s second goal, and has surely earned his place – at the very least as an option off the bench – for the Swedish qualifier.
2. Questions remain over David Forde’s reliability
Eyebrows were raised when Trap decided to replace Keiren Westwood, the talented goalkeeper who is currently lacking match sharpness, with 33-year-old journeyman David Forde.
Forde’s performance last night was somewhat of a mixed bag.
The Millwall man made two or three decent saves over the course of the match, but his wayward kicking on occasions almost caused the concession of two goals.
Having watched him in training and presumably a number of times in the Championship, Trap knows Forde better than most other observers.
3. Clark-O’Shea pairing the way to go for Sweden qualifier
(Ireland’s Ciaran Clark celebrates his goal with John O’Shea – INPHO/James Crombie)
Ireland had countless problems in defence as they were hammered by Germany earlier this season.
On that occasion, John O’Shea started in defence with Toronto FC’s Darren O’Dea.
In contrast to the Germany game, the back four looked relatively assured last night, and Clark has seemingly been promoted rapidly following recent defensive debacles.
Given that Richard Dunne is unlikely to make a comeback anytime soon, and that Alex Pearce is being ignored for no apparent reason, the partnership of O’Shea and Clark seems the most viable option for the future.
The obscure league in which O’Dea is playing, coupled with his unconvincing recent display in an Irish jersey, means he will surely be relegated to the bench at best in Sweden.
4. Conor Sammon could be Ireland’s Emile Heskey
The above headline may be considered a criticism but it shouldn’t be construed as such.
There were two sides to Sammon’s performance last night.
At one point a defensive error put him through on goal, yet his heavy touch ensured the chance was ultimately missed. It was a moment where you longed for someone with more deft technique, such as Robbie Keane, to be presented with.
However, there was no doubting Sammon’s commitment to the cause, as he ran as hard as anyone on the field last night, and held the ball up well to boot.
Hence, his selflessness could yet prove an invaluable asset to Ireland, and was reminiscent of Heskey at his best in an England jersey.
5. Trapattoni belatedly eschewing his stubborn nature
In contrast with his overly conservative reputation, there were signs that Trap was more than happy to experiment last night.
His willingness to blood Jeff Hendrick, a promising 21-year-old midfielder, was a testament to that.
And in the second-half at least, Ireland passed the ball a little more regularly than we have been accustomed to seeing the Boys in Green doing in recent years.
However, friendlies have proved an unreliable way of judging teams in the past.
So the true test will come against Sweden in March, but last night at least provided some signs of encouragement and indications that the future may be less bleak than the disaster of the Euros suggested.
5 things we learned from last night's Ireland-Poland match
1. Wes Hoolahan is good enough for Ireland
Despite only being given a meagre half an hour to prove his worth at international level, Wes Hoolahan undoubtedly took his chance last night.
The player made a noticeable impact when he arrived on the field of play, demonstrating superior technical ability to almost anyone else in a green jersey on the night.
What separated him from his teammates was not just his class, but the manner in which he visibly demanded the ball anytime it was in his vicinity.
He topped the performance off with an accomplished finish for Ireland’s second goal, and has surely earned his place – at the very least as an option off the bench – for the Swedish qualifier.
2. Questions remain over David Forde’s reliability
Eyebrows were raised when Trap decided to replace Keiren Westwood, the talented goalkeeper who is currently lacking match sharpness, with 33-year-old journeyman David Forde.
Forde’s performance last night was somewhat of a mixed bag.
The Millwall man made two or three decent saves over the course of the match, but his wayward kicking on occasions almost caused the concession of two goals.
Having watched him in training and presumably a number of times in the Championship, Trap knows Forde better than most other observers.
He has thus indicated that the player is likely to be Ireland’s first-choice goalkeeper from now on – a significant gamble that the veteran Ireland coach will be hoping pays off in upcoming games.
3. Clark-O’Shea pairing the way to go for Sweden qualifier
(Ireland’s Ciaran Clark celebrates his goal with John O’Shea – INPHO/James Crombie)
Ireland had countless problems in defence as they were hammered by Germany earlier this season.
On that occasion, John O’Shea started in defence with Toronto FC’s Darren O’Dea.
In contrast to the Germany game, the back four looked relatively assured last night, and Clark has seemingly been promoted rapidly following recent defensive debacles.
Given that Richard Dunne is unlikely to make a comeback anytime soon, and that Alex Pearce is being ignored for no apparent reason, the partnership of O’Shea and Clark seems the most viable option for the future.
The obscure league in which O’Dea is playing, coupled with his unconvincing recent display in an Irish jersey, means he will surely be relegated to the bench at best in Sweden.
4. Conor Sammon could be Ireland’s Emile Heskey
The above headline may be considered a criticism but it shouldn’t be construed as such.
There were two sides to Sammon’s performance last night.
At one point a defensive error put him through on goal, yet his heavy touch ensured the chance was ultimately missed. It was a moment where you longed for someone with more deft technique, such as Robbie Keane, to be presented with.
However, there was no doubting Sammon’s commitment to the cause, as he ran as hard as anyone on the field last night, and held the ball up well to boot.
Hence, his selflessness could yet prove an invaluable asset to Ireland, and was reminiscent of Heskey at his best in an England jersey.
5. Trapattoni belatedly eschewing his stubborn nature
In contrast with his overly conservative reputation, there were signs that Trap was more than happy to experiment last night.
His willingness to blood Jeff Hendrick, a promising 21-year-old midfielder, was a testament to that.
And in the second-half at least, Ireland passed the ball a little more regularly than we have been accustomed to seeing the Boys in Green doing in recent years.
However, friendlies have proved an unreliable way of judging teams in the past.
So the true test will come against Sweden in March, but last night at least provided some signs of encouragement and indications that the future may be less bleak than the disaster of the Euros suggested.
Ireland boss admits to overlooking goal hero Hoolahan in the past>
Next up Ireland: Ibra, Messi off target as Argentina beat Sweden>
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5 things Ciaran Clark Giovanni Trapattoni Ireland learned Opinion Poland Wes Hoolahan