Given 7.0 Dependable as ever; made some good stops and could do little with the goal. Top rate distribution. Kelly 4.0 Endured a horrid first-half, even if he improved slightly after the break. Indecisiveness and rash judgement littered his performance. Kilbane 6.5 Willing to lend himself to the attack constantly, and gave another solid, disciplined show. O'Shea 7.5 Has eradicated the errors that once blighted his game; seems to have acquired a no-nonsense, no-mistake attitude from his club colleagues. Top showing. Dunne 7.0 Showed little of the rustiness of his recent Manchester City displays; marked and headed well in defence, was a presence at the business end too. Whelan 6.5 A neat display punctuated with accurate passing and a desire to get things going for his side. Andrews 7.5 Stamped a degree of his own authority on the midfield with swift challenges. Got forward well to support his attackers and was another bright spot in a fine second half performance. Duff 7.0 Caused problems to both full-backs with his ability to go inside and out. Sent over some decent crosses and was generally at the hub of Ireland's sorties forward. McGeady 9.0 The standout; his best game in an Ireland shirt to date. Precise, determined dribbling was matched with a willingness to take on the shot. Efficiency in possession is a new facet to his game, and a welcome one. Keane 8.0 Got the bit between his teeth after the penalty and sealed the win to register a phenomenal 37 goals in 86 internationals. Lethal. Doyle 8.0 Looked dangerous every time he took up the ball. Drove at the heart of the defence to make the Georgians uncomfortable and caused numerous problems with his presence in the opposition box. Subs:
S Hunt n/a Hit the target twice. Georgia:
Lomaia 5.5 Didn't inspire confidence with his handling and could have done better on Keane's second goal. Lobjanidze 6.0 Unlucky to have conceded a penalty as his contribution until then had been solid. Supported his attack when permitted and defended well against all but McGeady. Kaladze 7.0 Used his experience to compete well in challenges and was an outlet for a simple pass throughout. Khizanishvili 6.5 Had to do the mucky stuff for the less mobile Kaladze and looked rusty in the execution of his duties. Kvirkvelia 4.5 The weakest link of the Georgia back-four; given a torrid time by both Duff and McGeady and saw possession turned over regularly from his boot. Mentesahshvili 7.0 Got through a fair amount of work in the first half with crisp challenges and short accurate passes. Was withdrawn due to a caution and Georgia were weaker for his absence. Gotsiridze 6.0 Tried hard to influence the encounter when in possession and showed a good willingness to receive the ball. Could do with a few more outings at this level. Kobiashvili 8.0 The veteran showed guile and class throughout; visionary passing and sound positioning. Iashvili 7.5 Snatched his goal bravely and was the Georgian's biggest attacking threat all night. Gave Kelly a horrid return to the international stage. Razmadze 6.0 Enjoyed nice link-ups with Kobiashvili and had one or two chances of his own. Siradze 5.5 Dropped deep to give his side an extra presence in midfield and was a handful, if not a goal threat, for the Irish back four. Subs:
Given 7.0 Dependable as ever; made some good stops and could do little with the goal. Top rate distribution.
Kelly 4.0 Endured a horrid first-half, even if he improved slightly after the break. Indecisiveness and rash judgement littered his performance.
Kilbane 6.5 Willing to lend himself to the attack constantly, and gave another solid, disciplined show.
O'Shea 7.5 Has eradicated the errors that once blighted his game; seems to have acquired a no-nonsense, no-mistake attitude from his club colleagues. Top showing.
Dunne 7.0 Showed little of the rustiness of his recent Manchester City displays; marked and headed well in defence, was a presence at the business end too.
Whelan 6.5 A neat display punctuated with accurate passing and a desire to get things going for his side.
Andrews 7.5 Stamped a degree of his own authority on the midfield with swift challenges. Got forward well to support his attackers and was another bright spot in a fine second half performance.
Duff 7.0 Caused problems to both full-backs with his ability to go inside and out. Sent over some decent crosses and was generally at the hub of Ireland's sorties forward.
McGeady 9.0 The standout; his best game in an Ireland shirt to date. Precise, determined dribbling was matched with a willingness to take on the shot. Efficiency in possession is a new facet to his game, and a welcome one.
Keane 8.0 Got the bit between his teeth after the penalty and sealed the win to register a phenomenal 37 goals in 86 internationals. Lethal.
Doyle 8.0 Looked dangerous every time he took up the ball. Drove at the heart of the defence to make the Georgians uncomfortable and caused numerous problems with his presence in the opposition box.
Subs:
S Hunt n/a Hit the target twice.
Georgia:
Lomaia 5.5 Didn't inspire confidence with his handling and could have done better on Keane's second goal.
Lobjanidze 6.0 Unlucky to have conceded a penalty as his contribution until then had been solid. Supported his attack when permitted and defended well against all but McGeady.
Kaladze 7.0 Used his experience to compete well in challenges and was an outlet for a simple pass throughout.
Khizanishvili 6.5 Had to do the mucky stuff for the less mobile Kaladze and looked rusty in the execution of his duties.
Kvirkvelia 4.5 The weakest link of the Georgia back-four; given a torrid time by both Duff and McGeady and saw possession turned over regularly from his boot.
Mentesahshvili 7.0 Got through a fair amount of work in the first half with crisp challenges and short accurate passes. Was withdrawn due to a caution and Georgia were weaker for his absence.
Gotsiridze 6.0 Tried hard to influence the encounter when in possession and showed a good willingness to receive the ball. Could do with a few more outings at this level.
Kobiashvili 8.0 The veteran showed guile and class throughout; visionary passing and sound positioning.
Iashvili 7.5 Snatched his goal bravely and was the Georgian's biggest attacking threat all night. Gave Kelly a horrid return to the international stage.
Razmadze 6.0 Enjoyed nice link-ups with Kobiashvili and had one or two chances of his own.
Siradze 5.5 Dropped deep to give his side an extra presence in midfield and was a handful, if not a goal threat, for the Irish back four.
Subs:
Khmaladze
Merebashvili
Aleksidze