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Seamus Coleman was Ireland's standout player tonight. INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan

Player ratings: Ireland v Greece, International friendly

We rated the Ireland players out of ten. Let us know if you agree with our assessment.

David Forde: Given a rare outing following Westwood’s late withdrawal, Forde looked composed for the most part, without having too much to do. 6

Stephen Ward: Solid in defence but relatively ineffectual in attack, putting in a few bad crosses as well as scuffing a good chance in the second half. 5

John O’Shea: Culpable for the goal as he failed to show the requisite aggression needed to stop the Greek attack, and also gave possession away cheaply at times, as he is prone to doing. More mistakes like the one tonight (in addition to those made against Germany) will cause critics to doubt whether he is the logical replacement for Dunne at centre-half, as so many people had previously suggested. 5

Ciaran Clark: Made two good interceptions early on, and generally looked comfortable. However, he was lucky not to be sent off for a wild challenge at one point. 6

Seamus Coleman: Put in some great crosses in the first-half and gave the Greeks problems throughout. He thus was deservedly given the Man of the Match award and should surely be an automatic starter from now on. 8

Robbie Brady: Had a good shot on 45 minutes that tested the goalkeeper. Overhit one or two crosses though, and lacked the necessary sharpness to show the spark he sometimes seems capable of providing 6

Glenn Whelan: His passing was occasionally stray, before being substituted early on through injury. 5

James McCarthy: Neat and tidy in possession at times, but not the midfield driving force that many think he has the potential to be. He rarely demanded possession and also could have protected the back four better for the goal. 6

James McClean: For all his obvious endeavour, he regularly lacked end product, and also got needlessly worked up at the end of the first half following a dispute with one of the Greek players. 5


(A bored looking Ireland fan – INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan)

Shane Long: Held the ball up well at times and always worked hard, and will have been disappointed to have been taken off prematurely by Trapattoni. 6

Simon Cox: Missed a good early chance with a header. He was also slow to react early in the second half, when Andrews played him through, thus wasting another decent goalscoring opportunity. 5

Keith Andrews: Played a good through ball to Cox at one point, and clearly looked to pass the ball in midfield for the most part, though resorted to lumping it forward hopefully once or twice. 6

Wes Hoolahan: Made an instant impact when he came on, linking up well with the attack and playing some intelligent passes. He also played a great ball in to O’Shea from a corner, before fading slightly towards the end. Still displayed more creativity and intelligence than some Irish players can show in 90 minutes though. 7

Kevin Doyle: Workmanlike on a consistent basis, but failed to repeat his heroics against Kazakhstan. 6

Andy Keogh: Conceded possession cheaply at one stage and made no real impact after coming on. 5

David Meyler: Scarcely had enough time to impress, but was still wasteful in possession during his short time on the field. 5

Giovanni Trapattoni: Delivered on his promise to give Hoolahan 45 minutes, but strangely opted to keep the unimpressive Cox on at the expense of Long. He’s at least showed a willingness to change, but familiar failings in his team, such as slow build-up play and a lack of attacking threat at times, were once again all-too-evident. 6

VIDEO: Ibrahimovic scores one of the best goals you’ll ever see (and three other stunners)>

As it happened: Ireland v Greece, international friendly>

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21 Comments
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    Mute Figo murphy
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    Nov 14th 2012, 11:41 PM

    I really hope we win the World Cup and prove all the doubters wrong.

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    Mute Adrian de Cleir
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    Nov 14th 2012, 11:43 PM

    Comment of the week

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    Mute Declan McCabe
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    Nov 14th 2012, 10:46 PM

    Another bad result. Very disappointing year. But the starting XI we’ve been clamouring for was given their shot tonight. But it’s gonna take time before we’re ready. Campaign may be dead in the water after March’s double header. Think we should use the rest of the campaign to gel the team and should make a good stab at qualification for France 2016.

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    Mute Frank O'Grady
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    Nov 14th 2012, 11:13 PM

    Just saw the highlights…much more progressive play, in fairness to them they were very positive and eager looking….good things to come?

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    Mute Declan McCabe
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    Nov 14th 2012, 11:41 PM

    One can hope Frank. We had our best young players tonight, alot of them together for the first time. We’ll know in March whats happening. But even 2nd place in this group might not be enough. It’s important we use this campaign to gel because right now we aren’t as good as Sweden or Austria. Pray to God I’m wrong but it’s very difficult to see us matching Sweden under current circumstances.

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    Mute Anthony Roper
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    Nov 14th 2012, 11:01 PM

    Yet another result to be proud off. Getting beaten is one thing but at least go down with a fight and try to play something that resembles attractive football

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    Mute Eoin Byrne
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    Nov 14th 2012, 11:22 PM

    Were you watching a different game? Ward and Coleman got forward well, Andrews and McCarthy weren’t afraid to look for the ball and pass it forward, McClean, Brady and to a lesser extent Cox and Keogh crossed the ball when they had the chance and Hoolahan was creative and determined when he came on. Not to mention at least one (if not two) stonewall penalties and more clear cut chances than the Greeks created (albeit they weren’t taken) and there is a lot to be proud of and hopeful of after that match. Then again, I suppose the view from your barstool wasn’t as good as mine from the stadium.

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    Mute Declan McCabe
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    Nov 14th 2012, 11:35 PM

    Love it Eoin!

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    Mute scott mcclafferty
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    Nov 15th 2012, 6:12 AM

    I was out so only caught the highlights, but the half hour show on rte was better then ALL of euro 2012, fast passing and creativity for a change. If he keeps playing those players we have a chance of playing attractive football instead of lump it up front style

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    Mute amd
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    Nov 14th 2012, 10:35 PM

    John O’Shea against the Swedish attack, can’t blame him if he was in two matches at once.

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    Mute Terry Turner
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    Nov 14th 2012, 11:14 PM

    Very little to be deduced as Ireland were made to better because the Greeks didn’t try very much. Serious team building needed. Trap is not here for much longer.

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    Mute Niamh.
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    Nov 14th 2012, 10:38 PM

    time to let the cat out of the bag…

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    Mute Theartistformerlyknownas Keith
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    Nov 15th 2012, 8:45 AM

    But it is a wild cat and the sack is open haha cheers Niamh thinking of that weird rant by Trap has made me smile

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    Mute Anthony Roper
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    Nov 15th 2012, 1:15 AM

    Eoin maybe you get all excited going to the see them play but I for one wouldn’t even go to my local bar stool to watch that shite. Whilst there are fools willing to pay to watch that excuse for football things won’t improve

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    Mute Declan McCabe
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    Nov 15th 2012, 8:41 AM

    I don’t suppose you’re part of the “Trap-has-to-go-matches” brigade?

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    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
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    Nov 15th 2012, 12:31 AM

    it was mcgeady’s fault

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    Mute Paul Baitson
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    Nov 14th 2012, 10:36 PM

    Can’t blame oshea for Sweden ?????

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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Nov 14th 2012, 10:40 PM

    Apologies. I’m clearly still thinking about Ibra and co, for obvious reasons (http://jrnl.ie/674844)

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    Mute Frank O'Grady
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    Nov 14th 2012, 11:22 PM

    Unbelievable goal!

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    Mute Patrick Linehan
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    Nov 15th 2012, 5:56 AM

    let’s face it, apart from the sports only played by us, we’re crap at sport!! every generation or so a talented sports person comes along and we pin all our hopes on them! Hoping they’ll carry the team and/or the nation! we need serious investment in sport here, a few of our millionaires have to stump up instead of shoveling their money into foreign teams! the government has to start providing proper facilities for ALL sports nationwide!! (early morning rant over)

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    Mute Fergal Kelly
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    Nov 15th 2012, 8:51 AM

    Ye god were really poor at that golf game. Oh and our rugby team… Woeful. Don’t even get me started on our disgrace at horse racing! And that Waterford guy who just won the rally world championship, he should be embarrassed. Honestly, some people need a bit of perspective!

    13
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