Caoimhin Kelleher 6 - First competitive start after Gavin Bazunu missed out with a back injury. Was rarely tested before the killer goal, but alert when he needed to be and made a smart save down low to deny Barseghyan early on.
Nathan Collins 7 - Impressed on his first competitive start and redeemed himself after losing the ball for Armenia’s early chance that Kelleher saved with some vital interceptions and calmness in possession.
Shane Duffy 6 - First competitive game for club or country since the Belgium game in March. Made an important block to deny Spertsyan but two second-half headers from close range lacked the power or accuracy to threaten the goal.
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John Egan 5 - Usually a rock of consistency for Ireland but not today. Was caught napping a couple of times when Armenia countered and then conceded two frees for which he was lucky not to be booked. Flashed a late header wide.
Seamus Coleman 6 - Was a useful attacking outlet high on the ride side and linked well with those inside. Had claims for a penalty when Spertsyan handled as Coleman controlled a cross and burst into the box. Subbed late on.
Jeff Hendrick 6 - Stephen Kenny spoke in the build-up about the quality of Hendrick’s passing and he threaded superb defence-splitting balls to Ogbene and Robinson and later curled a shot of his own into the ‘keeper’s arms.
Josh Cullen 6 - Straight back into the team after his phantom ‘suspension’ was chalked off earlier in the week and always kept Ireland ticking over with his neat and tidy, uncomplicated play from the middle but his cut out pass led to their goal
Enda Stevens 5 - First appearance since the Portugal game in November having been plagued with niggling injuries. Solid for the most part but lost the ball in the lead up to Armenia’s offside goal after the break and was subbed with Ireland chasing the game.
Chiedozie Ogbene 6 - Produced some sublime touches early on and was a handful for the home defence with his willingness to chase even lost causes, but should have done better with a header when unmarked. Pushed to the wing in the late stages.
Troy Parrott 4 - Mixed it between the left side and centre of Ireland’s three-man attack but struggled to leave his mark on the game and his frustration was summed up when he dragged a shot wide before the break. First player subbed.
Callum Robinson 5 - Started brightly and put himself about, finding the side-netting early on before seeing another shot acrobatically hooked out of the goalmouth but was later subbed on a poor day for Ireland’s misfiring attack.
IRELAND SUBS:
- Michael Obafemi (for Parrott, 65) - 6
- James McClean (for Stevens 73) - 6
- Jason Knight (for Robinson 73) - 6
- Alan Browne (for Cullen 81) - 6
- Will Keane (for Coleman 81) - 6
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