Gary Connaughton reporting from the Aviva Stadium
In a game with little on the line, it was clear that neither team was going quite full tilt at the Aviva Stadium this evening. Still, Ireland will be massively relieved to emerge with a 2-1 victory over a talented Hungary side.
Facing an opposition that many have tipped to be dark horses at Euro 2024 this summer, the home team defended relatively well in the game (or two individual lapses of concentration aside). They did lack a bit of bite at the other end, although Adam Idah would score the first goal of John O’Shea’s interim spell in charge.
In the end, Ireland would secure an impressive win with a last gasp winner from Troy Parrott. Here’s how we rated the Irish performances in the game.
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Ireland player ratings vs Hungary
Caoimhín Kelleher – 8
Kelleher made one big save during the first half, but there was nothing he could do about the Hungarian equaliser in the 40th minute.
The Liverpool man pulled off two brilliant saves to stop Hungary taking the lead early in the second half. His passing was spot on once again, also sweeping in behind brilliantly to cut out a number of Hungary attacks.
Ireland’s best player on the night.
Seamus Coleman – 7
Playing on the right of the back three, Seamus Coleman was quite often the one who showed a bit of initiative in pushing Ireland further up the pitch in possession.
He moved to wingback for the second half, where he did a very good job at cutting out the opposition threat down the left flank.
Shane Duffy – 4
Duffy looked incredibly shaky during the opening period of the game, playing one dodgy back pass before allowing a Hungarian forward in behind by misreading a simple ball towards the Irish box. He was also asleep at the back post for the Hungarian equaliser, failing to spot the danger of Adam Lang.
He was substituted at halftime.
Dara O’Shea – 7
O’Shea was sold at the back in the first 45 minutes, also stepping into midfield and playing some nice passes on a couple of occasions.
He was solid in the air, cutting out a number of high passes towards the Irish box. Overall, a very solid a performances.
Matt Doherty – 5
Doherty pushed incredibly high on the right hand side when Ireland were in possession, although this meant that he struggled to get involved in the team’s buildup play. In defence, he did not make all that of an impact either.
Taken off at the interval.
Josh Cullen – 6
Cullen was asked to cover a huge amount of ground in the middle third, holding the centre but also pressing out to the wing to cut out opposition attacks. He was sloppy on the ball at times, something that almost got Ireland into trouble on one or two occasions.
Still, his defensive contributions were important.
Will Smallbone – 7
Smallbone was incredibly quiet in the in the opening half or or so, but he burst into life to provide a wonderful cross that Adam Idah nodded home for the opener.
Outside of that, he did not have a whole lot of influence in possession. In saying that, he was solid in blocking space in the middle third and played an important defensive role
Robbie Brady – 5
Recommended
Brady’s contribution in the opening half was mainly a defensive one, clogging up the space down that left flank.
His influence on the ball was not all that apparent, failing to offer much in terms of linkup play with teammates. He was replaced on the hour mark.
Finn Azaz – 6
Making his first international start, Azaz looked tidy and composed on the ball whenever he got on possession. In saying that, he did run into trouble on one or two occasions when Ireland were in a promising positions, as well as misplacing a few through balls.
It was not his best performance, but there were some glimpses of what he might offer the team moving forward.
Sammie Szmodics – 6
Szmodics did his best to launch Irish counterattacks during the opening half, although the ball quite often seemed to bypass him as it went long to Idah.
The Blackburn man looked tidy on the ball when he did get on it, although he could never quite manage to carve Hungary open.
Adam Idah – 7
Idah worked tirelessly up front, with Ireland’s game plan in the opening half being to knock long balls in his general direction. He was rewarded for his effort with a goal in the 36th minute, heading home from close range after Smallbone’s cross.
The striker continued to make some excellent runs throughout the game. In the argument for Ireland’s best player on the night alongside Kelleher.
Substitutes
Jake O’Brien – 7
Coming on at halftime to make his international debut, O’Brien impressed during his time on the pitch.
His forward passing was the most incisive of any Irish defender, with the Cork man playing some brilliant passes through the middle third while under pressure from the opposition.
Liam Scales – 6
Another halftime introduction, Scales had a few nervy moments on the ball. In saying that, he did make some important defensive contributions.
Troy Parrott – 7
Parrott was a live wire in the side after coming on, looking sharp with the ball at his feet and taking on a number of opposition defenders.
He showed excellent composure to score that late winner, having plenty of time to think about the finish as he streaked up the pitch with the ball at his feet.
Callum O’Dowda – 7
Coming on at left wingback, O’Dowda provided a bit more on the ball than Brady during his time on the pitch. He made a handful of surging forward runs and picked out his teammates with some well placed passes.
Michael Obafemi – 5
Did not make much an impact after replacing Adam Idah.
Jason Knight – N/A
Not on long enough to rate.
