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McClean was eventually handed his debut. ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
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Ireland v Czech Republic: Player ratings

Here’s how we felt the starting XI and Trap’s five substitutes got on at Lansdowne Road tonight.

Shay Given: Closed down early on by Rezek after delaying on the ball but Ireland’s record caps holder did the business when he was called into action by the same player later in the half. Couldn’t do anything to prevent the goal.  6/10

John O’Shea: Was his usual solid self at full-back but didn’t get forward to assist Duff nearly enough. Was also at fault for Baros’ goal after being sucked in to following the ball. 6/10

Sean St Ledger: The Leicester City defender will be happy with his overall performance but, like O’Shea, could’ve done better for the Czech goal on 50 minutes. 7/10

Darren O’Dea: Marshalled the backline with authority in the absence of the injured Richard Dunne. The recently named FAI Young Player of the Year didn’t do his chances of featuring in the summer and harm. 7/10

Stephen Ward: Has made the left full-back position his own in recent times but would love to see him get over the halfway line more often. Probably down to Trap’s tactics more than the player, admittedly. 6/10

Damien Duff: Got off to a terrific start down the right but went out of the action as the game went on. 6/10

Keith Andrews: Getting more regular football at West Brom has clearly had a postive effect on Andrews as he played with confidence tonight and looked to link up going forward more often than usual. His closing down proved instrumental for the equaliser. 8/10

Glenn Whelan: Whelan produced a tidy display as the deeper lying midfielder of the two. Caught an elbow to the face in the first half and played on before being withdrawn for Green. 7/10

Aiden McGeady: The Spartak Moscow winger was explosive in the very first minute and put in a superb delivery for Shane Long’s tame header. His crossing after that lacked accuracy, however, but he worked hard defensively. 6/10

Robbie Keane: Looked very sharp in the the first half, which isn’t a surprise considering his form for Aston Villa in the past six weeks. Was thwarted by Cech when handed a great chance, and later taken off. 6/10

Shane Long: More was expected from the Baggies striker, who came into the side in place of Kevin Doyle, and after heading straight at Cech 37 seconds in, Long failed to impress on the night. 5/10

Substitutes

Paul Green: A strike on goal in the 72nd minute was his major contribution. The question has to be asked though… Is he good enough? 5/10

Stephen Hunt: Has featured very rarely for Wolves in the past month and might feel a little lucky to have been introduced ahead of others but worked his socks off when he came on, which is no more than we’ve come to expect from the winger. 5/10

Jon Walters: Did well when he got the nod as one of the substitutes who brought a bit of urgency into the team for the final 20 minutes. 6/10

Simon Cox: Took his goal fabulously. First the nutmeg, then slotting the ball under Cech from a narrow angle. Could be a moment in determining whether he will be at the Euros or not. 7/10

James McClean: The player the crowd had been waiting for all night eventually got on with 12 minutes remaining. Looked bright and clearly eager to impress but needed more time on the pitch. 5/10

Giovanni Trapattoni: Trap saw his strongest side get a good run-out ahead of the summer’s major tournament and kept the unbeaten run going after the introduction of five substitutes. Would like to have seen McCarthy and Coleman get a run, though. 7/10

How do you think the players did tonight?

‘Players can do a McClean’ – Derry boss Declan Devine

LIVE: Republic of Ireland v Czech Republic

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