Ireland 4 Qatar 0: How the Irish players rated at the Aviva Stadium

Malachy Clerkin hands out the marks after a comprehensive win in Dublin.


Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool)

Will have had more strenuous sauna sessions. Had to wait 56 minutes to get his hands on the ball. Virtually nothing to do outside moving the ball onwards safely and wasn't found wanting at any stage. Rating: 7

Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur)

Looked bored at times. Tried to liven things up with a stepover at one stage, leading to a Qatari attack and a bollocking from Duffy. Replaced with a knock by Cyrus Christie at the break. Rating: 5

John Egan (Sheffield United)

Another who had a comfortable night and never looked under pressure. Always urgent in possession coming out of defence. Had one headed chance that just cleared the bar. Rating: 7

Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion)

A man reborn. What little defending Ireland had to do, he made sure it was done. On top of which, his passing out of defence was flawless. His goal was the capstone on a rampant display. Rating: 8

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Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City)

Must think international football is a doddle at this stage. Granted, he didn't have a lot to do but he was nonetheless comically comfortable in just his fourth cap. Rating: 7

Enda Stevens (Sheffield United)

Good to have him back. Consistently an outlet on the left and his natural defensive instincts kept things tight down that flank. Rating: 6

Jamie McGrath (St Mirren)

Typically tidy stuff with the ball going forward, a couple of timely interventions in defence too. Shuffled his feet beautifully to buy the penalty. Rating: 7

Conor Hourihane (Sheffield United)

Took his chance to shine having come in to replace the injured Josh Cullen. Showed for his centre backs, pressed up when Qatar had the ball – his dispossession set up McGrath for the penalty. Rating: 7

Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United)

Would love to play Qatar every week. Along with Hourihane, the heartbeat of the Ireland performance. Gorgeous through ball for the third goal typified the ease and confidence coursing through his night. Rating: 8

Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United)

Fluffed a great chance just short of the break when his header/shoulder bounced off the crossbar after a brilliant diagonal ball from Robinson. Energetic, if a little short on end product. Rating: 5

Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion)

The first goal deflection was the bit of luck his industry deserved. The penalty was ice cold. The hat-trick was the best Irish team goal in years. First Irish player to score multiple times in back-to-back men's games since Robbie Keane in 2013. Rating: 9

Substitutes

Cyrus Christie was shaky enough at right wing back. Jason Knight was a busy and annoying to play against. Troy Parrott was full of direct running and made good use of the few minutes he got. Nathan Collins, Harry Arter and James Collins didn't have enough to do to be judged. Rating: 7

Stephen Kenny

Qatar were terrible but Ireland haven't always done the basic job of making bad teams live down to their billing under Kenny. So this was the sort of night he needed. Clearly has the team playing for him and trying to do the things he has been preaching for years. Onwards. Rating: 8