Gave the ball away to Obraniak early in the game as Ireland came under pressure, but otherwise completely assured. A decent alternative to Westwood.
Paul McShane – 7
Played well, getting forward more than anyone might have expected, though he was as culpable as anyone for a dodgy opening half an hour in the Irish defence.
Ciarán Clark – 8
His fourth cap for Ireland, his first international goal, and he took it superbly. An assured presence in the centre of defence, no doubt he was happy to leave Villa behind for a few days.
John O’Shea – 6
A poor first half as Poland kept the pressure on the Ireland defence. Played Lewandowski onside for one chance that the striker should have converted. A spectator in the second half.
Greg Cunningham – 6
Didn’t do much wrong, didn’t do too much of note.
Advertisement
Robbie Brady – 7
Lively and pacy, it looks like his decision to move to Hull City permanently was the right one. Showed plenty of energy before being replaced, though his end product was lacking. Brady should have done better with one long-range effort in the first half in particular.
James McCarthy – 6
Another tidy performance from the Wigan man, but he lacked the industry of Brady and (whisper it) Green.
Glenn Whelan – 5
Played a couple of decent balls forward but never seemed to be on the same wavelength as Long and Sammon. Replaced by Paul Green at half-time.
James McClean – 3
Dreadful. Completely anonymous in the first half, and routinely found the first Polish defender with any attempted crosses. Finally replaced by Simon Cox with ten minutes remaining.
Shane Long – 5
Busy, but didn’t have a sniff of goal. Injured early in the second half and had to be replaced.
Conor Sammon – 6
The soft, heavy pitch didn’t help as he struggled to get into the game. Played too deep in the first half, though he was a bit more prominent as he moved a bit closer to Long before the West Brom striker’s departure. Not an international-class player, as he never once seemed comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Subs:
Paul Green (for Glenn Whelan – 46 mins) – 7
A combative presence in the centre of midfield, stopped Poland from getting any sort of rhythm into their play. An improvement on Whelan.
Wes Hoolahan (for Shane Long – 61 mins) – 8
Superb. Gave Ireland an extra dimension and Trapattoni a massive problem with an assured finish.
Jeff Hendrick (for James McCarthy – 71 mins) – 7
Was that the best first touch in international football for any debutant? Great vision to see Hoolahan.
Jonathan Walters (for Robbie Brady – 71 mins) – N/A
Did not one thing of note.
Simon Cox (for James McClean – 80 mins) – N/A
Nor did he.
Richard Keogh (for Ciaran Clark – 85 mins) – N/A
The third Derby County debutant of the evening. Not on long enough to rate.
Ratings: How the Irish players performed versus Poland
David Forde – 7
Gave the ball away to Obraniak early in the game as Ireland came under pressure, but otherwise completely assured. A decent alternative to Westwood.
Paul McShane – 7
Played well, getting forward more than anyone might have expected, though he was as culpable as anyone for a dodgy opening half an hour in the Irish defence.
Ciarán Clark – 8
His fourth cap for Ireland, his first international goal, and he took it superbly. An assured presence in the centre of defence, no doubt he was happy to leave Villa behind for a few days.
John O’Shea – 6
A poor first half as Poland kept the pressure on the Ireland defence. Played Lewandowski onside for one chance that the striker should have converted. A spectator in the second half.
Greg Cunningham – 6
Didn’t do much wrong, didn’t do too much of note.
Robbie Brady – 7
Lively and pacy, it looks like his decision to move to Hull City permanently was the right one. Showed plenty of energy before being replaced, though his end product was lacking. Brady should have done better with one long-range effort in the first half in particular.
James McCarthy – 6
Another tidy performance from the Wigan man, but he lacked the industry of Brady and (whisper it) Green.
Glenn Whelan – 5
Played a couple of decent balls forward but never seemed to be on the same wavelength as Long and Sammon. Replaced by Paul Green at half-time.
James McClean – 3
Dreadful. Completely anonymous in the first half, and routinely found the first Polish defender with any attempted crosses. Finally replaced by Simon Cox with ten minutes remaining.
Shane Long – 5
Busy, but didn’t have a sniff of goal. Injured early in the second half and had to be replaced.
Conor Sammon – 6
The soft, heavy pitch didn’t help as he struggled to get into the game. Played too deep in the first half, though he was a bit more prominent as he moved a bit closer to Long before the West Brom striker’s departure. Not an international-class player, as he never once seemed comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Subs:
Paul Green (for Glenn Whelan – 46 mins) – 7
A combative presence in the centre of midfield, stopped Poland from getting any sort of rhythm into their play. An improvement on Whelan.
Wes Hoolahan (for Shane Long – 61 mins) – 8
Superb. Gave Ireland an extra dimension and Trapattoni a massive problem with an assured finish.
Jeff Hendrick (for James McCarthy – 71 mins) – 7
Was that the best first touch in international football for any debutant? Great vision to see Hoolahan.
Jonathan Walters (for Robbie Brady – 71 mins) – N/A
Did not one thing of note.
Simon Cox (for James McClean – 80 mins) – N/A
Nor did he.
Richard Keogh (for Ciaran Clark – 85 mins) – N/A
The third Derby County debutant of the evening. Not on long enough to rate.
As it happened: Ireland v Poland, international friendly >
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
COYBIG Ireland IrePol Ratings