Shay Given 4 Serious questions to be asked of his fitness after a frustratingly inconsistent performance. Made important saves from Iniesta and Xavi either side of half-time but could’ve done better for Torres’s opener and at clear fault with an aimless punch for Silva’s goal.
John O’Shea 5 Spared to an extent by Spain’s insistence on targeting the left side of the Irish defence. A few attacking ventures early in the first half. Caught out of position for Spain’s second, leaving Iniesta in acres of space to collect the ball and cross.
Sean St Ledger 4 Completely lost track of Silva coming off his shoulder in the build-up to the opening goal. Caught in possession on the half-way line for the third, though might well ask questions of Aiden McGeady’s effort in that instance.
Richard Dunne 4 His early tackle on Silva deserved better than to end in Spain’s opening goal. Twice provided the aerial threat from Irish free-kicks in the opening quarter. Needlessly gave away possession early in the second half, giving Spain the platform for Silva’s goal.
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Stephen Ward 3 Another torrid night at left-full. Caught on his heels by Torres for the first and was continually targeted after that with Spain using Arbeloa as a very effective out-ball. Did cover all the way across to right-full to make one excellent tackle mid-way through the second half but nowhere near enough to mask his weakness.
Aiden McGeady 3 Will be the target for much of the venting after this performance. Poor touches, poor positional sense. Looked completely disinterested for vast majority of the game, summed up when he made a half-hearted attempt to retrieve loose ball in the build-up to Torres’s second and then made no effort to chase back.
Glenn Whelan 4 Was always going to struggle to get any sort of a foothold against Spanish midfield and spent most of the game chasing shadows as he tried to close. Took a booking for the team to stop Silva in first-half stoppage time. Wasted one of Ireland’s rare second-half frees by skewing it away from the danger area. Subbed for Green, 80′.
Keith Andrews 6 The hardest working player in green, though he was responsible for his fair share of mistakes as well. Looked to set the tone with a full-blooded challenge on Busquets early on and tried to push forward when allowed. Found himself in a great position inside the Spanish box at 2-0 but squared the ball rather than shoot with his left.
Damien Duff 5 Like most of his team-mates, was called to do most of his work in defence rather than attack. Subbed for McClean, 76′.
Simon Cox 5 A tactical gamble by Trapattoni and he started brightly to vindicate his selection. Won an early free in his first aerial battle with Arbeloa and stung Casillas’s palms with a low drive soon after. Subbed for Walters, 45′.
Robbie Keane 4 Anonymous for practically the entire match. Starved of opportunities to contest the ball, never mind possession. Lost the ball too easily in first-half stoppage time which nearly created a Spanish chance. Had Ireland’s best shot on target late on.
Substitutes
Walters (for Cox, 45′) 5 Put himself about when he came on but the game was out of Ireland’s reach within four minutes of his introduction. Won a few flick-ons from deep and gave Ramos a nervy moment or two in the air.
McClean (for Duff, 76′) & Green (for Whelan, 80′) Weren’t on long enough to rate.
Manager
Giovanni Trapattoni 4 Always going to be a tough night tactically and subbing Cox at half-time was an admission that he got it wrong. Bringing on McClean with 15 minutes remaining felt like a token gesture.
Fans
10/10 A different class, as per usual, and deserved at least one goal to cheer on a miserable night in Gdansk. Sang loud and proud until the end of the game with a defiant “Fields of Athenry” drowning out the Spanish celebrations at the final whistle.
I think those last 7 or 8 mins when the fans were singing ‘the fields of athenry’, made me prouder to be irish than probably even a victory would have. Unbelievable!
Andrews played his heart out in both games and giving him a 6/10 is an insult. Ward played both games as a centre half rather than left back and left way too much space for the wingers.
I would say Given is the biggest reason we have done so bad. He was the reason for 4 of the 7 goals conceded. Obviously the players in front of him didn’t help a lot but some of the goals he let in were just terrible. We have a young talented Westwood that could have gained so much experience and in my opinion done a better job than Given in goal. As much as I love Given and he used to be world class, but he’s gone by it now and it’s time for Westwood to step in.
Absolutely ciaran. think the author hasn’t a clue about football. Doesn’t realise how good Spain were. Our players weren’t bad, just that the Spanish were far superior.
I gave everybody the mark I felt their performance deserved but when you start at 6 and mark up or down accordingly (as these ratings are done), it was clear that very few Irish players were going to remain at 6. How could they when they had been so comprehensively outclassed?
Of course there was a difference in skill and ability but I’m not sure giving everybody 7s for hard-work and endeavour is really a fair reflection on the 90 minutes on the pitch.
That should soften your cough Leslie. Aside from Spain’s brilliance we made so many individual mistakes every 60 seconds not one player bar Andrews deserved a half decent rating.
Yes Dave, but he’s long past his prime. He’s playing in a sub-par league and he just doesn’t have the class anymore to be the hero. It’s time for him to move aside, voluntarily or not.
Absolutely agree. Keane in my opinion should never have been given the Captain’s armband. He might shout a lot and have a voice for it but he does next to no work for the team. You see him WALK about the field screaming at other players but not working hard himself! I dont know about you but that would annoy me of I was playing on his team.
The fans definitely lessened the hurt of tonight’s defeat. I know that many people will say that it’s all just bandwagon hopping, but it damn near brought a tear to my eye. It’s a mighty fine bandwagon!
You’re missing the point with this rating list. The real individual who needs to be rated is the clown who has set soccer in Ireland back 20 years – John Delaney rate -0
Look at the basic fact, the team was outclassed in all areas of the pitch. We were lucky to only concede four. It could have been more. Spain brought on Fabregas, a €30 million superstar who plays for Barcelona. We brought on Green, a player that struggled playing championship football and has no team! Time to get real! What did we expect in our heat of hearts against the best team in the world? We used up all our luck getting Estonia in the play offs!
Bringing Green on was clearly a gift to the player, to give him some sort of a boost in looking for a team. They could have brought on Lionel Messi at that point and it wouldn’t have made a difference.
My heart goes out to Niall Kelly (who I think is an excellent writer) when he has to deal with idiots/trolls like Liam Byrne dominating the bottom half of his column
Marks were spot on. We were out of our depth. That’s the way the international game has gone. There are a few countries pulling away from the rest. Unfortunate we’re are in the ‘rest’ bracket. Too many average players and we had players who were not fully fit. Spain were excellent and could have had ten. Irish and very proud.
@Niall. Extraordinarily harsh. A poor (as we all know) team played with pride and passion for the most part against a team that will ultimately be recognised as one of the greatest international sides of all time.
What did we expect? Defeat? Yes. A hiding? Also yes. This was streets ahead of the performance on Sunday. Two early concessions in both halves messed us up – but, at half time we were still in contention (tenuously, but still there).
Give us some suggestions as to how we improve, without mentioning the unproven Hoolahan (sp?) and McClean, the cretinous Ireland, and the couldn’t be arsed when he had a chance to step up, McCarthy.
Accept being outclassed without simple negativity.
This is just kicking lads when they’re down. Poor form.
Aidan bloody mcgeady.. the most over hyped player we’ve ever had. I mean everyone knows his tracking back is terrible and still he mDe no effort covering his full back.. at one stage pique a Center half remember skinned him on the wing to set up an attack..
givan 6 brillant saves!!!!!!nward 4 didnt create anytingndunne 2 jus sily mistakesnleagder 4 sme as dunneno shea 2 jus luked at evr1 else when they scorednmc gready 3 no effortnduff 6 put sme effort created a few chancesnwhealan 5 wasnt himselfnandrews 6 solid when needed nkeane1 nvr luked like scoring he was though twice bottled them nd when ireland had the ball he was hidingncox first half pro 7 u hav to give him credit for trying sooo hard
You dont start at six that makes no sense, by that reasoning if you got injured and went off in the first miinute you should get a six because you didnt get to be either good or bad, dont think so.
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11 out of ten for the fans
I think those last 7 or 8 mins when the fans were singing ‘the fields of athenry’, made me prouder to be irish than probably even a victory would have. Unbelievable!
They did us proud. I just wish we had a different song. Brush Shields killed that song for me a long time ago… ;-(
the fans were amazing to be fair
Glen Whelan 2 out of 10,O’Shea 2 out of 10. Keith Andrews 8 out of 10 playing on his own in centre mids for 2 full games!!
Andrews played his heart out in both games and giving him a 6/10 is an insult. Ward played both games as a centre half rather than left back and left way too much space for the wingers.
He was the highest mark out of any of the Irish players.
Agreed.. Whelan the biggest reason we are already out!!
I would say Given is the biggest reason we have done so bad. He was the reason for 4 of the 7 goals conceded. Obviously the players in front of him didn’t help a lot but some of the goals he let in were just terrible. We have a young talented Westwood that could have gained so much experience and in my opinion done a better job than Given in goal. As much as I love Given and he used to be world class, but he’s gone by it now and it’s time for Westwood to step in.
well done to the fans. there needs to be article on the fans alone.
Jesus those markings are a bit harsh…. Spain were simply a different class.
We’ll give all our players 10s and the spanish players 20s. Is that ok?
Absolutely ciaran. think the author hasn’t a clue about football. Doesn’t realise how good Spain were. Our players weren’t bad, just that the Spanish were far superior.
Thanks for the comments.
I gave everybody the mark I felt their performance deserved but when you start at 6 and mark up or down accordingly (as these ratings are done), it was clear that very few Irish players were going to remain at 6. How could they when they had been so comprehensively outclassed?
Of course there was a difference in skill and ability but I’m not sure giving everybody 7s for hard-work and endeavour is really a fair reflection on the 90 minutes on the pitch.
I thought the markings were a bit generous!! Glen Whelan 4?? Hopefully he never wears green again..
That should soften your cough Leslie. Aside from Spain’s brilliance we made so many individual mistakes every 60 seconds not one player bar Andrews deserved a half decent rating.
I thought Duff played his heart out
Robbie Keane needs to disappear. He was always an overrated player and his true ability (or lack of) has been exposed in tonight’s game.
I can never understand all this hate for Keane.
Has he or has he not scored more goals for Ireland than the rest of the squad combined?
Yes Dave, but he’s long past his prime. He’s playing in a sub-par league and he just doesn’t have the class anymore to be the hero. It’s time for him to move aside, voluntarily or not.
Absolutely agree. Keane in my opinion should never have been given the Captain’s armband. He might shout a lot and have a voice for it but he does next to no work for the team. You see him WALK about the field screaming at other players but not working hard himself! I dont know about you but that would annoy me of I was playing on his team.
exactly finally sme1 argees robbie keane is ovr rated he plays cos he scores against the shitest sides in te 6 yd box
That’s the last finals competition Ireland will be in for the next 10 years. Worst team out of the 16 in it. Fans made us proud.
Sad but true. The decades old tactic of high ball up the pitch isn’t going to work in the modern game. We need new management from top to bottom.
Niall, your ratings are fair and balanced. No matter how strong the opposition you still need to play and be rated by your own game….period
Come on with your ratings !! It’s not as if we were playing Liverpool for God’s sake. They’re edging towards one of the greatest sides ever.
Journalists take pleasure from rubbing in salt
And Ireland is edging towards one of the worst sides ever.
So what , that what the scored relative to who the were playing , will we give 7 & 8s when we got beaten 4 nil
The fans definitely lessened the hurt of tonight’s defeat. I know that many people will say that it’s all just bandwagon hopping, but it damn near brought a tear to my eye. It’s a mighty fine bandwagon!
You’re missing the point with this rating list. The real individual who needs to be rated is the clown who has set soccer in Ireland back 20 years – John Delaney rate -0
Who the f**k is actually FOR John Delaney!? Defend him or don’t downvote because the man is an absolute disgrace to Irish football.
@liam, overrated? He’s out record goal scorer? If we had Rooney up front this evening it wouldn’t have made a difference. Spain were a different class
Look at the basic fact, the team was outclassed in all areas of the pitch. We were lucky to only concede four. It could have been more. Spain brought on Fabregas, a €30 million superstar who plays for Barcelona. We brought on Green, a player that struggled playing championship football and has no team! Time to get real! What did we expect in our heat of hearts against the best team in the world? We used up all our luck getting Estonia in the play offs!
But why was green in the squad when there are more capable players left behind??
Bringing Green on was clearly a gift to the player, to give him some sort of a boost in looking for a team. They could have brought on Lionel Messi at that point and it wouldn’t have made a difference.
My heart goes out to Niall Kelly (who I think is an excellent writer) when he has to deal with idiots/trolls like Liam Byrne dominating the bottom half of his column
Spain are class, ireland were outclassed. No surprise, no disappointment.
Marks were spot on. We were out of our depth. That’s the way the international game has gone. There are a few countries pulling away from the rest. Unfortunate we’re are in the ‘rest’ bracket. Too many average players and we had players who were not fully fit. Spain were excellent and could have had ten. Irish and very proud.
@Niall. Extraordinarily harsh. A poor (as we all know) team played with pride and passion for the most part against a team that will ultimately be recognised as one of the greatest international sides of all time.
What did we expect? Defeat? Yes. A hiding? Also yes. This was streets ahead of the performance on Sunday. Two early concessions in both halves messed us up – but, at half time we were still in contention (tenuously, but still there).
Give us some suggestions as to how we improve, without mentioning the unproven Hoolahan (sp?) and McClean, the cretinous Ireland, and the couldn’t be arsed when he had a chance to step up, McCarthy.
Accept being outclassed without simple negativity.
This is just kicking lads when they’re down. Poor form.
Aidan bloody mcgeady.. the most over hyped player we’ve ever had. I mean everyone knows his tracking back is terrible and still he mDe no effort covering his full back.. at one stage pique a Center half remember skinned him on the wing to set up an attack..
givan 6 brillant saves!!!!!!nward 4 didnt create anytingndunne 2 jus sily mistakesnleagder 4 sme as dunneno shea 2 jus luked at evr1 else when they scorednmc gready 3 no effortnduff 6 put sme effort created a few chancesnwhealan 5 wasnt himselfnandrews 6 solid when needed nkeane1 nvr luked like scoring he was though twice bottled them nd when ireland had the ball he was hidingncox first half pro 7 u hav to give him credit for trying sooo hard
are you just randomly bashing your keyboard?
You dont start at six that makes no sense, by that reasoning if you got injured and went off in the first miinute you should get a six because you didnt get to be either good or bad, dont think so.
Yes, and that would be an appaling travesty of justice.
Can someone call Amnesty International?