Ireland 0-2 England
Eoin Harrington reporting from the Aviva Stadium
On a day when many Ireland fans were hopeful of a miraculous start to Heimir Hallgrimsson’s tenure as head coach, England would give the Boys in Green a rude awakening on Lansdowne Road.
A vociferous reception met the teams as they took to the field, with a sell-out crowd packing out the Aviva Stadium in the unexpectedly baking September heat.
In truth, it’s hard to remember the last time Lansdowne Road rocked so loudly, with the crowd bringing an astonishing level of noise to the early stages.
There were hostile welcomes, as expected, for Declan Rice and Jack Grealish, both of whom were booed pre-match (as was ‘God Save the King’).
However, the wind would be firmly taken out of the home crowd’s sails, as the two returning men would combine for England’s two first-half goals. It felt almost farcical that Rice and Grealish would score England’s two goals but England were full value for their 2-0 half-time lead.
Things would improve somewhat in the second half though, in truth, England will not have felt in danger at any stage of Saturday evening’s game.
There were few standout performers for Ireland on a tough night to open the Heimir Hallgrimsson era.
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Ireland MNT player ratings v England
Caoimhín Kelleher – 6/10
Kelleher made a super one-on-one save up against Anthony Gordon in the lead-up to Declan Rice’s opener. He could not have done anything more for either of England’s first half goals.
Though his distribution was sometimes lacking, he was a strong presence in the Irish box and was solid when called upon.
Made a brilliant save in injury time to prevent Saka from making it three.
Robbie Brady – 4/10
Looked way off the pace as the first half progressed. His biggest two moments of note in the opening stages were an early foul on Bukayo Saka, and a free-kick drilled straight into the England wall.
As Saka (and Trent Alexander-Arnold) grew in influence, Brady was increasingly tormented down Ireland’s left flank.
Dara O’Shea – 5/10
Not as proactive or physical as Collins alongside him, a quieter presence in the defence. Though not as susceptible to mistakes as Doherty or Brady, O’Shea was also slow to react on a number of occasions when England attacked the box.
His pace, however, was valuable when England broke. He also found Ogbene with a delightful cross-field ball in the leadup to Szmodics’ guilt-edged chance just before the hour.
Nathan Collins – 5.5/10
The most solid of Ireland’s defenders, Collins found himself isolated on several occasions when England counter-attacked with pace.
The Brentford star stood strong in the face of said pressure, and his tackle on Harry Kane directly before Rice’s goal would have been a memorable moment were it not for what followed.
Seamus Coleman – 4.5/10
7 September 2024; Seamus Coleman of Republic of Ireland in action against Anthony Gordon of England during the UEFA Nations League B Group 2 match between Republic of Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
His pace was exposed on a few occasions and he misplaced a few passes, but Coleman displayed a level of defensive savvy that many in the Irish team did not in the first half.
He bought a foul well from Anthony Gordon in the opening moments, and was generally the first on the scene to give support to Nathan Collins. Nonetheless, one does fear that Coleman’s best days in an Ireland shirt are behind him at this stage.
Came off with a knock just before the hour mark.
Matt Doherty – 4/10
A baffling first half performance.
In the opening moments, Matt Doherty was among Ireland’s most lively players, involved in a few encouraging breaks down the right flank.
However, as England took total control of proceedings, his performance level dropped off a cliff. Anthony Gordon repeatedly got in behind Ireland’s right back with ease, and Doherty was sloppy in possession.
His role in the setup seemed totally confused. Hooked for Jason Knight just before the hour mark.
Will Smallbone – 5.5/10
The most composed of Ireland’s midfield trio, but didn’t see enough of the ball in the first half.
Smallbone was the calmest Irish player on the pitch and generally looked for progressive passes, but it became increasingly difficult for him to find any time on the ball as Rice and Kobbie Mainoo took control of midfield.
Jayson Molumby – 5/10
7 September 2024; Jayson Molumby of Republic of Ireland reacts after to conceding a goal during the UEFA Nations League B match between Republic of Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
The much-heralded ‘bastard’ of Heimir Hallgrimsson’s team got stuck in early on, taking only two minutes to square up to Jack Grealish. Minutes later, he would head just over from close range – by far Ireland’s best chance of the opening period.
However, Molumby offered little other than intensity to Ireland’s game, sloppily running the ball out of play and turning into blind corners on several occasions. His presence on the field could best be described as “chaotic.”
Shot well over when teed up by Szmodics on 61 minutes. As the game calmed in the second half, Molumby did, to his credit, similarly calm, and was one of the more assured on the Ireland team at breaking up the England play late on.
Sammie Szmodics – 6/10
Sammie Szmodics may not have expected to find himself dropping back in defence as often as he did against England, though he applied himself better than most Irish players when it came to box defending.
Szmodics’ intensity level was up there with Molumby’s on the day, though he was more consistent with his pass selection. He was once again quieter than Ireland fans would have hoped in attack, however, and one questions why he was yet again stationed deeper than he is at club level.
Chiedozie Ogbene – 6/10
7 September 2024; Chiedozie Ogbene of Republic of Ireland in action against Harry Maguire of England during the UEFA Nations League B match between Republic of Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Chiedozie Ogbene has so consistently been a standout player for Ireland. He was yet again the driving force behind many of Ireland’s attacks, and created Sammie Szmodics’ early chance, as well as Adam Idah’s headed chance after half an hour.
He was at times too indecisive but, generally, he was Ireland’s best attacking player. Set up Ireland’s best chance of the second half when teeing up Szmodics on 59 minutes.
Adam Idah – 4.5/10
Adam Idah was consistently isolated and struggled to get any form of time on the ball in the first half. When he did, he headed well wide with his only meaningful chance of the game.
His pace and strength were ultimately not enough to bring him any kind of joy against the England defence.
Substitutes
Jake O’Brien (for Seamus Coleman, 57′) – 4.5/10
Dispossessed cheaply with just over 20 minutes to go, and picked up a yellow card in his half hour on the pitch.
Jason Knight (for Matt Doherty, 57′) – 5/10
Immediately got stuck in, and linked up well with Ogbene down the right flank. Limited opportunities to get on the ball.
Alan Browne (on for Will Smallbone, 75′) – 5/10
Not involved in much of the play late on, but didn’t exactly put a foot wrong either.
Kasey McAteer (on for Adam Idah, 75′) – 5/10
The sole debutant on the Ireland team.
Evan Ferguson (on for Robbie Brady, 82′) – n/a
Not on long enough to rate, though the reception he received on his return was a rare highlight for the Irish fans.
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