Gibraltar 0 Republic of Ireland 1 Gavin Cooney reports from Victoria Stadium, Gibraltar IF THIS BECOMES an Irish football resurrection under Mick McCarthy, let the records show that the Rock didn’t roll over by itself. The hosts defended doughtily, spending the first half with their backs to the Rock, flooding numbers around their own plastic Alamo before they were eventually undone by Jeff Hendrick’s first Irish goal since 2016. While Gibraltar defended well, Ireland’s attack was slow and laboured and attempts to switch play for James McClean perished amid fierce and entirely random bursts of insolent wind. Even allowing for the conditions, Ireland showed they have yet to shake off the problems that afflicted their attack in 2018, although David McGoldrick presence made a mockery of his latter-era exile under Martin O’Neill. Playing behind Sean Maguire, he was a lithe and physical presence all evening, but the goal came from his first opportunity to stand an opposition defender up. Finding space between the right-hand side of the Gibraltar defence, Conour Hourihane found him the ball. McGoldrick ghosted by a defender and pulled the ball back to Jeff Hendrick, who rolled the ball past Kyle Goldwin. It was a huge relief for Ireland, who had spent the first-half toiling. Their best scoring actually fell to a Gibraltar defender Goldwin, who celebrated as if he’d saved a penalty. In the World Cup final. Against Spain. In a shootout. Ireland’s best outlet was down the right-wing where Doherty and Coleman kept the ball on the ground and combined well, forcing a series of corners from which Ireland looked dangerous. Conor Hourihane’s deliveries were largely terrific, with Shane Duffy and James McClean inches from connecting at either post on separate occasions. The goal, however, didn’t come. Ireland’s frustration by this point was, as usual, best expressed by James McClean, who was booked on the stroke of half-time for a hefty challenge on Lee Casciaro. Four minutes into the second half, and that deadlock was finally broken, with Hendrick striking while their opponents were giddy. Roy Chipolina’s header from a corner was clawed away brilliantly by Randolph: the locals gasped in disbelief; the Irish sighed in relief. Those sighs were as strong as the wind by the time Hendrick wheeled off in celebration. Gibraltar were far from cowed, and made their numerical superiority in midfield count with a string of neat passes, lacking only an outlet up front. Ireland almost dug them out on this front, however, with sloppy passing handing Cascario a chance he bent narrowly beyond Randolph’s post. Be part of the team Access exclusive podcasts, interviews and analysis with a monthly or annual membership. Become a Member McCarthy responded by swapping Sean Maguire for Harry Arter, with Robbie Brady also making an early second-half appearance in place of Doherty. Gibraltar continued to enjoy plenty of possession, but restricted themselves to shots from distance, hoping that the wind might unsettle Randolph. It didn’t, and he remained an assured presence throughout. Shane Duffy and Richard Keogh were also impressive for Ireland, managing to judge the wind whenever it brought down hopeful punts forward. Keogh’s performance was made all the more impressive by the fact he played with a broken hand. FAI CEO John Delaney watches on. Source: James Crombie/INPHO Prior to kick-off, a banner critical of FAI CEO John Delaney appeared among the Irish crowd, and it popped up infrequently during the game. Its being moved in line with television cameras toward the end of the game led to a chorus of anti-Delaney chants from the Irish fans. Delaney was the last among the dignitaries next to the press box to take his seat before kick-off, making his way down the steps of the stand during the final bars of the Irish anthem. The Irish team will travel home with off-the-field noise whipping about their ears as fiercely as the Gibraltar wind. It won’t concern Mick McCarthy, however, as he and his players will merely say: Roll on Georgia. Gibraltar: Kyle Goldwin; Jack Seargeant, Roy Chipolina (captain), Louie Annesley (Adam Priestley 64′), Jayce Olivero; Anthony Hernandez (Alain Pons 78′), Lee Casciaro, Anthony Bardon, Liam Walker, Joseph Chipolina; Tijay De Barr Republic of Ireland: Darren Randolph, Seamus Coleman (captain), Shane Duffy, Richard Keogh, Enda Stevens; Matt Doherty (Robbie Brady 56′), Conor Hourihane, Jeff Hendrick, James McClean; David McGoldrick; Sean Maguire (Harry Arter 72′) Referee: Anastasios Papapetrou<doc-sep>Mick McCarthy was pragmatic in his assessment of what was a uninspiring Irish performance in tonight's 1-0 win over Gibraltar. In the opening game of the manager's second tenure at the helm of the Republic of Ireland senior squad, the visitors struggled to adapt to the unique surroundings of the Victoria Stadium - a stadium perched on a rock in the middle of the Medittereanean straddled by an airport runway. McCarthy described the game as "horrible" but was adament that his side earned "a great three points" 'I hated every minute of it, it was horrible, I'm delighted to get out of it with a one-nil win' - Mick McCarthy typically honest in his analysis of his Republic of Ireland's performance against Gibraltar. #RTESoccer pic.twitter.com/euuIKoJq9u — RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) March 23, 2019 We were never going to complain about the pitch, it don't make it any easier. The wind's blowing a gale. We've not played particularly well. We did have chances. I thought we could have been one or two up in the first half. Darren Randolph is probably man of the match with the save he made - he kept us at 0-0. I was asked earlier on about gaining momentum, I said I can only gain momentum by winning a game. I don't want that. I wanted to score more and play better, but it's three points. The manager touted David McGoldrick's performance as a particular highlight in running the channels, with the Sheffield United striker teeing up Jeff Hendrick for his 49th-minute winner. Advertisement However, if that was a plus for McCarthy, he was ready to admit the experiment of playing both Matt Doherty and Seamus Coleman in the right-wing positions. I said he [Doherty] has been the best attacking right wing-back in the Premier League. Didn't work today. Maybe there's maybe not a lot of room in behind them when they sit in. Has he got the box of tricks to get past people? Probably not. If it's an experiment it's not worked. Ireland will go into Tuesday night's game at the Aviva against Georgia, with McCarthy joking that the guests will think "we're hopeless" after watching the game in Gibraltar tonight. However, when pushed that the Georgians will think they have something to play for in Dublin, the Yorkshire man was bullish. We have more to play for because we've got the three points. SEE ALSO: Ireland Player Ratings After A Disheartening Victory In Gibraltar<doc-sep>Well, what can you say about that? Ireland have three points on the board from their opening Euro 2020 qualifier, but it was not a good night for Mick McCarthy's men. Say what you want about the pitch or the wind, but Ireland were very poor. Against one of the true minnows of European football, there was not as big of a gap between the sides as many would have assumed. With Georgia coming to town on Tuesday night, the signs are not good. Darren Randolph - 7 Was a passenger in the first half, with absolutely nothing to do. Came up big right at the beginning of the second period, producing a world class save to deny the hosts the lead. Could have been a vastly different outcome had that one found the back of the net. Launched the attack that led to the goal too. Seamus Coleman - 6 Advertisement Formed a strong partnership with Doherty down the right, the wing that was the source of all of Ireland's attacking play in the opening period. Almost forced an own goal with a dangerous cross, before McGoldrick failed to tuck away another one of his deliveries. Had far less of an impact in the second half, offering none of the attacking outlet that you would have hoped for. Perhaps that was linked to the withdrawal of Doherty, with Brady doing very little as his replacement. Shane Duffy - 6 Easily sniffed out any of the balls played up field by the Gibraltar defence, and was never really troubled. Duffy got the ball down and tried to play out from the back at times, something rarely seen in the Martin O'Neill era. Some of that may have been down to the opposition, but encouraging nonetheless. Missed a golden opportunity at the end. Advertisement Richard Keogh - 6 Much like Duffy, had very little to do in the game. Gibraltar were limited to long range efforts, and the defensive pairing could not be blamed for a lacklustre offensive performance. Enda Stevens - 5 Had nothing to do defensively, but did not really display that trademark cavalier style we have become accustomed to seeing at Sheffield United. Gibraltar got some space down the left in the closing stages, which was not helped by McClean's uncharacteristically porous nature in front of him. Matt Doherty - 6 Struggled to link up with Coleman in the opening few minutes, but grew into the game as the opening half went on. Showed some nice touches down the right flank, and tried to drive Ireland forward. Advertisement Was reasonably quiet at the start of the second period, before being strangely withdrawn after 55 minutes despite playing quite well. Jeff Hendrick - 6 Made the telling contribution to the match, but was average overall. Never really dictated the game, failing to get in between the lines when Ireland tried to play out from the back. The Burnley man burst into life at the start of the second half, providing the finding touch on a well-worked Ireland move to give his side the lead. Took his goal very well, but did little else. Conor Hourihane - 8 Advertisement The Villa man was at the epicentre of everything good Ireland did. Came deep and tried to get the side playing, often in vain. His set piece delivery was incredible all afternoon, and probably should have had a couple of assists in the first half. Was the architect of the opening goal, with a wonderful ball to find McGoldrick. Ireland's brightest player on a disappointing day, and looks to be the type of player we have been missing in recent years. James McClean - 5 Worked hard down the left, but was largely starved of possession. Did not do much when getting on the ball either. As has been the case at club level as of late, a poor performance from McClean. David McGoldrick - 7 Advertisement Was a strong option for Ireland up front, consistently making himself available to be found down the flanks. Was unlucky when his goal-bound flick from a Coleman cross was blocked by a defender. He provided the assist for the opener, finding Hendrick well with a tidy pullback. A decent reintroduction to the international scene. Sean Maguire - 5 Was a non-factor in the match, struggling to make any real impact on the game. Played Coleman through with a nice reverse pass, but was otherwise poor. Given the chance to cement his place in the team, it was nowhere near good enough. Substitutes Robbie Brady - 5 Drifted in from the right wing upon his introduction, but failed to make much of an impact. Clearly not back firing yet after his recent return from injury. Harry Arter - 6 Playing in an unfamiliar position high up the pitch after his introduction, Arter put himself about. Made a couple of nice interceptions, and worked hard on and off the ball.<doc-sep>
Player ratings as Ireland labour to win over Gibraltar in Euro 2020 qualifier Republic of Ireland 1 Gibraltar 0. Ireland have started their Euro 2020 qualification campaign with a narrow win over Gibraltar. It was a truly dreadful game of football, devoid of any real quality played on an artificial surface beside a rock and an airport landing strip with the wind whipping across the pitch. The best thing that can be said about the tie is that it is over, and Ireland have three points. Mick McCarthy will be happy to move on from the match and so will everyone who witnessed it. Here is how we rated the players. Just a note, five out of 10 is the base rating - the score each player starts with. The conditions were awful, as were Gibraltar, and it was difficult for any player to stand out. Darren Randolph - 6.5 Randolph has been a calm presence in the Ireland team since winning his starting spot against Germany in 2015. Last year, he was one of the few players to do himself justice, saving Ireland on several occasions and preventing a defeat against Northern Ireland at the Aviva Stadium. He is also a man in form, with 16 clean sheets in the Championship this season for Middlesbrough. Against Gibraltar on Saturday, the Bray-native was rarely tested but was on hand to make a brilliant save when Ireland's defence broke down. Randolph made a stunning stop just after half-time to prevent Ireland from falling behind. Seamus Coleman - 5 The Ireland captain experienced a tough spell for Everton earlier this season, but his place in the national team was never in question. Coleman got forward as often as he could, without landing a decisive cross. Shane Duffy - 5 Duffy is the top-scoring Irish player in the Premier League this season with five goals and was a threat from set-pieces without finding the finishing touch. His long passes often came to nothing, as the wind made it difficult to go direct. Richard Keogh - 5 Despite having a broken bone in his hand, the Derby County defender started ahead of John Egan in central defence. Ultimately, it didn't matter, as he was never really tested bar making a late block. Enda Stevens - 5 The Sheffield United full-back has been in accomplished form this season, helping his side to second place in the Championship and registering six assists along the way. Stevens was also reliable when he played for Ireland last year and warranted a start against Gibraltar. The 28-year-old had to wait a while for this chance and will hope he did enough to retain his spot for the Georgia game on Tuesday. He didn't do anything wrong against Gibraltar in a match that was tough to stand out in. Matt Doherty - 5 The most in-form Irish player this season, Doherty simply had to play against Gibraltar and McCarthy made the right call by starting him on the right side of midfield. As he said earlier this week, the Wolves' wing-back gets forward all the time at club level and he would have no trouble doing so for Ireland. Doherty, who has six goals and four assists for Wolves this season, was Ireland's best attacking outlet in a turgid first half, linking up with Coleman and McGoldrick at times down the right. However, he didn't have much chance to impress after the break, as he was substituted for Robbie Brady just 10 minutes into the second half. Conor Hourihane - 7 The Aston Villa midfielder is another player who is in good form for his club but has had to wait for his chance to impress at international level. Hourihane has scored six goals and registered 11 assists at club level this season. However, the 28-year-old had earned just six caps for Ireland before Saturday. Against Gibraltar, Hourihane stood out in the first half. His deliveries were dangerous and he was tidy on the ball in difficult conditions, starting the move that led to Ireland's goal with an incisive pass to McGoldrick. Man of the match. Jeff Hendrick - 6.5 They Burnley midfielder took his goal very well, breaking from midfield to slot the ball into the far corner. A much-needed goal for a player who has struggled to produce his best form for the national team over the last-18 months.