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The result against the Faroes was the important thing tonight but how did the Irish players play? Here’s the player ratings

Keiren Westwood 6

Hard to blame him for the goal, which we think was the only shot on target the Faroes had in the entire 90 minutes.

Seamus Coleman 6

Another lively display from the Everton man, showing the world that he should have been playing at right-back for Ireland for the last year at least. Anyway, defended well, attacked with verve and must now be a regular.

John O’Shea 4

Have to blame him for the goal, as he got nowhere near the Kindergarten teacher who nodded the home side back in the game. Miroslav Klose is hard to mark, a guy who spends his days with toddlers should not be. General play was nothing to write home about either.

Darren O’Dea 5

A very ropey early header had us worried that the Toronto man was set for another nightmare. Instead he steadied up, and produced a vital block when we were under pressure in the first half and capped off the game with the final goal.

Marc Wilson 7

An obvious upgrade on Stephen Ward he capped a very encouraging display with a fine goal, even if it took a small deflection on the way. His cross set up the second too and defensively he was sound, even if the Faroe goal came from his side.

Robbie Brady 6

Only one half for the Manchester United man. He didn’t do a huge amount wrong so we assume he had a knock. A few excellent deliveries from corners and a willingness to get his head up, pick a pass and get into the box on the blindside shows a footballing intelligence we need.

Keith Andrews 5

Should have scored twice tonight, the first a gift-wrapped goal opportunity he headed wide in the first half. General play was average, no more.

James McCarthy 7

The Wigan man showed again he can spot a pass and was always looking to do something positive. Not very flashy, and stayed deep and disciplined while Andrews roamed. Against this level of opposition, a player like him should shine. He did.

Aiden McGeady 5

A very typical performance by McGeady. Some excellent stuff, including a couple of great crosses and one fierce shot near the end. Some woeful stuff too, and poor decision making. We know what we will get by now.

Robbie Keane 4

A fairly anonymous display and the sight of him trying to claim Jon Walters goal was comical. Possibly wasn’t fully fit but then he shouldn’t have started.

Jon Walters 5

Not as good as he was against Germany and didn’t seem to be on his game, especially in the first half. Scored a goal and was involved in the third so was better in the second 45.

Subs:

Simon Cox 4

Again used in the wrong spot after he came on for Brady and didn’t do much in his 45 minutes bar one decent move with McCarthy and McGeady.

Shane Long and David Meyler were not on long enough to rate

Manager 4

If this is the final game that Giovanni Trapattoni takes charge of, then he leaves us a baffled as ever. Brady’s removal was strange, Cox on the right was wrong again and Shane Long should have started ahead of Keane. Far be it from me to agree with Eamon Dunphy but the performances of McCarthy, Wilson and Coleman shows they should have been in earlier. It was a good win, with Ireland playing well at times but it may be too late for Trap’s future with the FAI.