The Irish players roused themselves to produce something resembling a performance against Italy, but it still wasn’t enough on the night. Here’s how they rated.
Shay Given 4
Badly at fault in the run-up to the first goal and looked just as shaky as he did in the first two games. Sad to see such a brilliant stalwart perform so poorly, but it could be and hopefully is down to a lack of fitness as opposed to a more permanent malaise.
John O’Shea 4
Another poor game in what has been a terrible tournament for another of our senior players. He should have done way better against Balotelli for Italy’s second, but he looked well off the pace all night, with his distribution being particularly poor once again.
Sean St. Ledger 6
One of Ireland’s better players and it said a lot that at one stage in the second half, he had made more successful passes than any other Irish player. Hasn’t looked as out of his depth at this tournament as some Irish players playing at a far higher standard at club level.
Richard Dunne 6
Not his towering self, but not really at fault for any of Italy’s goals either and it must be hard to play behind a midfield that is being completely dominated.
Stephen Ward 4
Not as bad as against Croatia or Spain, but that’s not saying much. Ward seems completely unable to hold onto the ball, although a lot of that could be down to the instructions of the manager. His long-term position in the side is under serious threat.
Aiden McGeady 5
Looked really dangerous for the first half an hour, but chose the wrong option a couple of times in good positions. Possibly unlucky to be taken off when he was, especially considering that Kevin Doyle was forced wide as a result.
Glenn Whelan 4
It was his mistake that led to the first goal and once again his ball retention was very, very poor. Tired very badly in the second half after being overrun by Pirlo and company in midfield.
Keith Andrews 6
Loses marks for failing to pick up Cassano for the first goal and his petulant reaction to being sent off. That aside, he was once again probably Ireland’s best performer on the night and seemed one of the only ones unwilling to go down without a fight.
Damien Duff 6
Deserved better than this on the night of his 100th and possibly last cap for Ireland. Continued his knack of winning frees in vital positions and like Andrews, carried the fight until the finish.
Robbie Keane 4
Completely anonymous and lucky to stay on the pitch while McGeady and Long were called ashore. Hasn’t happened for Robbie at the Euros and we mightn’t see him in an Irish jersey again, although we would prefer if he does stay on.
Kevin Doyle 6
Very lively in the opening stages and showed Trapattoni that he shouldn’t have been dropped for the Spain game. Writing was on the wall when he was moved to the wing to accommodate Shane Long and he was taken off shortly after.
Substitutes:
Shane Long 6
Compromised by the whims of Giovanni Trapattoni, who put him on up front and then switched him to the right wing when Jonathan Walters came on minutes later. Didn’t have the chance to show his obvious quality.
Jonathan Walters 6
Won a free-kick on the edge of the box but didn’t have the time to do a lot besides.
Simon Cox N/A
Trap loves him, but he wasn’t on long enough to be rated in this case.
