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No your eyes didn’t deceive you, that was an Ireland team attempting to play something resembling decent football this evening, albeit against mediocre opposition. Here’s how the players rated.

David Forde – 6

Apart from one nervy clearance he dealt well with whatever came his way, although that wasn’t an awful lot in truth.

Seamus Coleman – 8

Very encouraging. Great to see an Irish full-back on the overlap and Coleman was bombing up and down the wing all evening. The question marks over Coleman at right back concern his defending and that aspect of his game wasn’t tested, but there was an awful lot to like about the rest of his performance.

Stephen Kelly – 6

Decent if not entirely convincing, both at centre back and left back, but it was nice that he finally some game time at Craven Cottage this season. That hand of his must be in a bad way or he’s come to like that bandage as a fashion accessory because he’s been wearing it for quite some time now.

Sean St. Ledger – 6

Proved his worth at set-pieces once again for Long’s goal and was solid enough besides.

Marc Wilson – 6

Didn’t have an awful lot to do during his 45 minutes on the pitch – most of the action was on the right side – but he did OK and looked a lot more assured in possession than Stephen Ward usually does. Hopefully will be given another chance in the near future.

Robbie Brady – 9

There was plenty of expectation on the Man United man’s shoulders coming into the game and boy did he deliver. Scored a wonderful goal off his right foot and had a huge hand in the first and third goal with left foot deliveries from set-pieces.

Looked like contributing something positive every time he got the ball and although it was only against Oman, his performance should lead to a permanent place in the senior squad. Brilliant.

David Meyler – 8

Very good. Not the most careful in possession at times, but was always willing to get on the ball and provided real bite in the tackle as well. Gave Trap something else to think about as far as central midfield options are concerned, but then Trap’s thoughts don’t extend far beyond Whelan and Andrews in that regard.

James McCarthy – 5

A little disappointing if we’re being honest. Wasteful in possession and had a heavy touch at times and nothing seemed to be coming off. It was just that kind of night for McCarthy, he’ll have better days.

Andy Keogh – 6

The much-maligned Keogh was lively when the ball did go down the left side and had two pretty decent efforts on goal as well. A solid evening’s work.

Kevin Doyle – 6

Quiet enough apart from his goal, which was meat and drink to a player like Doyle. This friendly was never going to tell us anything we didn’t know about Doyle anyway, he proved his real worth last Friday.

Shane Long – 7

Looked very dangerous in the first half, although Trap will probably take more pleasure from the fact that he won nearly every aerial duel he contested. Starting to press serious claims for a starting berth for Ireland, Robbie should be worried. Nice touch with the beard too.

Subs:

Darren Randolph – 6

Not much he could do about the Oman goal and made a decent double save not long afterwards. Because of what’s in front of him, however, it could be his last appearance in an Irish jersey for some time. We were going to deduct points for wearing tracksuit pants, but on closer inspection it turned out he just had his socks pulled up unnecessarily high.

Alex Pearce - 6

Robbie Brady’s not the only man who can score on his debut, and it was a nice way to mark his first appearance in a green shirt. Barely troubled in a defensive sense, but it’s good to know there’s Premier League standard cover available at centre half all the same.

James McClean - 6

After all that went on at the weekend he seemed intent on proving a point and he nearly did with two close efforts shortly after his introduction. Needs to get the head down and work hard for a place because after tonight, Robbie Brady should provide real competition for a wide midfield berth along with those already in the mix.

Simon Cox – 6

One of a flurry of replacements who had no real impact, but he’s already sealed his place in Trap’s affections and had no real point to prove.

Aiden McGeady  - 6

The usual tricks were on show in his brief cameo and he was unlucky that Keogh was offside when he produced a lovely touch to put him through late on.

Joey O’Brien - 6

Not really on long enough to be rated, but nice to see him back after such a lengthy absence.