O'Shea stresses the positives after entertaining draw with Slovakia

Republic of Ireland captain John O'Shea chose to emphasise the positives as an experimental Irish side were held to a 2-2 draw with Euro 2016 co-competitors Slovakia at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night.

A season-ending injury to goalkeeper Rob Elliot marred what was a hugely positive performance from Martin O'Neill's side, and an interesting contrast to the tough defensive display in Friday's 1-0 win over Switzerland.

O'Shea was withdrawn at half time for Derby County defender Alex Pearce, and shares culpability for the concession of two sloppy goals, but there were more plus point than negative ones for the Sunderland defender when he spoke after the game.

“Look, we'd have wanted to obviously win the game. I think the reaction we showed, coming back, going ahead, and obviously Robbie [Elliot] going off injured as well.

“It was a little bit disappointing that we conceded just before half time.

“It would have been better obviously to have shut them out before half time, but I believe he's put the ball into the net with his arm as well. That's disappointing.

“Overall we played quite well in the first half. Obviously the goals were a bit sloppy that we conceded, but if we can cut that out there are a lot of positives going forward.”

A particular source of positivity was the extent to which Ireland dominated possession, with the final tally of 58% in the home side's favour perhaps not entirely reflecting the extent of their control.

That Ireland, for all their possession, could only muster two goals via the penalty spot belies the fact that, were they as clinical as they were in qualifying, Ireland would have won comfortably.

That control came about, to a great extent, as a result of Wes Hoolahan, who succeeded where debutant Alan Judge struggled on Friday in using his technical ability to allow Ireland to play the game in the right part of the pitch.

“Little Wes was fantastic again tonight, getting on the ball and picking up the little pockets. Good-quality footballers can link up together.

“What we spoke about before was trying to find him in the pockets of space – you had Glenn and James picking up spaces too to find him.

“He's a fantastic link-man, but he's got that bit of quality too and he can get us higher up the pitch and keep possession.”

Injuries picked up by Kevin Doyle and Daryl Murphy, to add to Jonathan Walters, Robbie Keane and Adam Rooney who had already been ruled out, meant Ireland went into the game with just one recognised striker in Shane Long.

Both James McClean and Anthony Pilkington have played up front for their clubs in recent times, and it was the Derryman who got the nod to start alongside Long.

There, he emulated Walters' trademark tireless performances, getting up to support the Southampton man and dropping back into midfield to deny Slovakia an outlet to build from deep.

In doing so, he established himself as a real option in the strikers, and that could spell disappointment for one of Keane, Doyle or Murphy if it means O'Neill can afford to take an extra midfielder to France.

“Look, obviously we were aware we were going to be short of strikers and Long picked up a small knock but it's nothing too serious.

“He showed how important he is with his performance in the first half as well. It's one of those things – James McClean has done a job and Anthony Pilkington, as well, has played there for his club team.

“His energy, he's strong in the air, he's not going to give you a minute's peace. A little bit like Longy in a sense, except Long would be a bit more experienced playing there. James has shown he has done the job.”


------------------------------------xxxxxx---------------

Suspension List - Week 5

The big news on this week’s suspension list is of course that Roddy Collins has failed to overturn his six game ban for comments he made in his weekly column in the Irish Daily Star.

Also on this week’s list are two players who are no longer in the SSE Airtricity League while Cork and Sligo are also missing one player each.

Automatic suspension in next SSE Airtricity League match
Shane Dineen (ex-Waterford United)
Willie Terrell (ex-Wexford Youths)

First-team competitive as and from Monday, March 28
Greg Bolger (Cork City) 1 match Additional red card suspension
Philip Roberts (Sligo Rovers) 2 matches Additional red card suspension

Technical Official
Roddy Collins (Waterford United) 6 matches