Caoimhin Kelleher: Didn’t have a huge amount to do but was a calming presence and made one decent save from Thomas Meunier in the second half. 7
Seamus Coleman: Was a little sloppy with his passing at times going forward but justified his selection with a solid defensive display keeping players of the calibre of Jeremy Doku quiet. 7
Nathan Collins: The centre of the three defenders marshalled the backline well and set up one promising second-half attack with an excellent crossfield pass. 7
Dara O’Shea: Won a first-half penalty when his shot hit the hand of Arthur Vermeeren and can be satisfied with his defensive contribution too. 7
Andrew Omobamidele: Another calm and composed figure in the Irish defence who didn’t do a lot wrong and looked at home at this level on his eighth cap. 7
Robbie Brady: His set-piece delivery was mixed but the 32-year-old showed enough overall to suggest he is capable of playing plenty more games for Ireland. 6
Josh Cullen: A deserving player-of-the-match-award winner, Ireland don’t have many quality natural defensive midfielders available so it’s great that the Burnley star remains as reliable as ever. 7
Will Smallbone: Prefers to be in a more attacking midfield role but showed he had the discipline to sit in alongside Cullen and do a decent job. 6
Chiedozie Ogbene: Remains a key player for Ireland owing to his pace and power on the counter-attack though his decision-making and finishing let him down occasionally. 7
Sammie Szmodics: Slipped Ogbene through with a nice pass in the first half and looked lively enough on his international debut before being replaced by Jason Knight in the second half. 6
Evan Ferguson: Caused the Belgian defence problems with his physicality but missed the all-important penalty and looks a little short of confidence owing to his recent goal drought. 6
Subs: It was nice to see the likes of Adam Idah and Mikey Johnston get a chance, but they couldn’t make much of an impact in their limited time on the pitch. 6
Class from canning , hes the 1 player iv always wanted to win an all ireland. Hes been class since he came onto the big stage and always comes back stronger then ever. Had a quiet second half by his standards
Looked injured in fairness
Was half hoping Waterford would win and really they had their chances but who would deny Galway’s Joe Canning his success today he has endured many a bad day so cheers Joe andGalway on their double
Don’t think anyone could begrudge Galway and Canning. So much recent hurt but both keep coming back hungrier every year. Well deserved from a Limerick man. Hopefully Mayo can end their suffering now next, after we hopefully nick an under 21 all Ireland.
Legend Canning – an exemplar for others to look up to in hurling. Captain Burke’s speech was excellent also. Cracking game today!
Has there ever been a greater ambassador for the game. As much class off the field as on it.
What a great gesture ….a day those boys won’t forget …well done Joe
Cork supporter but couldn’t be happier for this man, a true great and a class act. Really tough on Waterford but they can’t put an asterisk after Joe’s name any more. Lovely gesture, and I hope he doesn’t get the brainless criticism aimed at Aidan O’Shea for being decent to young supporters. Maith fear, Joe.
The cannings will clean up at the ploughing championships selling hurlers after this ‘