REACTION: Seamus Coleman’s first goal for Ireland was scruffy, skillful and so important

Paul Moore

It “had a bang of over-40s astroturf about it” but we don’t care. Three points.

Ireland have picked up their first three points on the road to World Cup 2018, but that 1-0 win against Georgia won’t live long in the memory.

Seamus Coleman’s first goal for his country was enough to give Martin O’Neill’s men the win and to be honest, after the first half showing , any Irish fan would have been delighted to take that.

We summed up the first half here, but in case you missed it, this tweet will give you a feel for the first 45 minutes. In fact, Georgia had the best chance of the opening half when they hit the woodwork twice in the space of 5 seconds.

All Ireland games should be played during regular office hours. No one should have to use up their own free time on this

— Evan Fanning (@evanfanning) October 6, 2016

Things got better, much better, in the second half though as Ireland’s captain picked the perfect time to end his international drought.

There’s plenty of work for Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane to do on the training ground ahead of the game in Moldova on Sunday – Jeff Hendrick will be missing that one due to suspension and Robbie Brady’s head injury looked very nasty – but for the time being, let’s revel in a truly beautiful/ugly goal.

@seamiecoleman23 scores his first goal for @FAIreland pic.twitter.com/Z6kla8gdiG

— 𝐓𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐄 𝐓𝐕 (@ToffeeTVEFC) October 6, 2016

That Seamus Coleman goal had a bang of over-40s astroturf about it. #irlgeo

— Colm Tobin (@colmtobin) October 6, 2016

Great stuff from Coleman but it was like someone plugged out the controller that was powering the Georgian team there. FIFA flashbacks.

— Daniel McDonnell (@McDonnellDan) October 6, 2016