IT DIDN’T MAKE up for the disappointment of Scotland but Ireland finished the year on an upbeat note as they signed off with a win over the USA.
Goals from Anthony Pilkington, James McClean and two from Robbie Brady — the second a super free-kick — gave Martin O’Neill’s side a 4-1 win in the Aviva Stadium.
Cyrus Christie and David McGoldrick both impressed on their international debuts while Brady put in a man-of-the-match turn from left back.
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O’Neill was pleased to bounce back from the first competitive defeat of his reign but refused to get carried away.
He said: “Qualifying games are the most important and everything else is a build up to it, even including tonight.
We scored four goals tonight and it was nice to regain momentum after Friday night, but the most important fixtures again are the matches that we have in 2015.
“We have seven points on the board and it was disappointing not to get something out of the game on Friday but it was not fatal.”
One of the most pleasing aspects was the instant impression made by Christie and McGoldrick. The latter provided an assist in each half while Christie was both assured in defence and offered plenty of threat going forward.
“Two excellent debuts,” O’Neill said.
I think that epitomises what we’re at least trying to do, to have a squad of decent calibre and decent quality, and that players are not found wanting at this level.
It was a rare international outing at left back for Brady and although there is still room for improvement, O’Neill saw another young talent flourish.
“I think Robbie himself will say that while he sees the game, and the whole game is in front of him from the left back position, he has things to improve on as a defender. He knows that himself.
“He is an excellent footballer, a really excellent player, and he’s got great attitude as well. I was really delighted for him.
He was in such confident mood, I felt that he would score from the free-kick. They’re easy words now but I felt he would score.
“For the second goal, for him to be following up and to be on the edge on the penalty area, and to score from the left back position — there he was with five minutes to go in the game on a hat-trick from left back which was great.”
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IT DIDN’T MAKE up for the disappointment of Scotland but Ireland finished the year on an upbeat note as they signed off with a win over the USA.
Goals from Anthony Pilkington, James McClean and two from Robbie Brady — the second a super free-kick — gave Martin O’Neill’s side a 4-1 win in the Aviva Stadium.
Cyrus Christie and David McGoldrick both impressed on their international debuts while Brady put in a man-of-the-match turn from left back.
O’Neill was pleased to bounce back from the first competitive defeat of his reign but refused to get carried away.
He said: “Qualifying games are the most important and everything else is a build up to it, even including tonight.
“We have seven points on the board and it was disappointing not to get something out of the game on Friday but it was not fatal.”
One of the most pleasing aspects was the instant impression made by Christie and McGoldrick. The latter provided an assist in each half while Christie was both assured in defence and offered plenty of threat going forward.
“Two excellent debuts,” O’Neill said.
It was a rare international outing at left back for Brady and although there is still room for improvement, O’Neill saw another young talent flourish.
“I think Robbie himself will say that while he sees the game, and the whole game is in front of him from the left back position, he has things to improve on as a defender. He knows that himself.
“He is an excellent footballer, a really excellent player, and he’s got great attitude as well. I was really delighted for him.
“For the second goal, for him to be following up and to be on the edge on the penalty area, and to score from the left back position — there he was with five minutes to go in the game on a hat-trick from left back which was great.”
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COYBIG Cyrus Christie David McGoldrick Martin O'Neill Reaction Ireland Republic United States