Republic of Ireland player ratings: Caoimhín Kelleher and Jayson Molumby impress on disappointing night in Linz

Detailed summary

Chiedozie Ogbene did all the heavy lifting for the substitutes, forcing a terrific late save from the Austrian goalkeeper while providing a general impetus to the Irish endeavour.…

Another night of customary excellence and another string of lithe and agile saves. However, he must share in some of the collective responsibility for the nature of Austria’s goal. Rating: 8

Spent the game looking like a centre-back playing as an advanced wing-back, which is precisely what he is. Defensively sound but unable to add any attacking thrust. Rating: 6

O’Shea stood up as captain in the last window and he remains the most resolute among Ireland’s large cohort of centre-backs. Dealt comfortably with Austria’s threat in the air and on the ground. Rating: 8

He started skittishly but steadied, and his front-foot defending helped Ireland find a foothold after a ropy start. He remains prone to errors from overplaying, however, and it was this maddening trait that led to the corner from which Austria scored. Rating: 6

Defended well on his return to the scene of his Champions League nightmare with Celtic. Shifted to left wing-back for the final stages and his cross for Ogbene’s point-blank header was Ireland’s best delivery all night. Rating: 7

As the sole creative player among Ireland’s back five, Manning has to shoulder an attacking burden. He didn’t deliver in that respect. Rating: 5

This was the quintessential, full-throated Molumby performance, as he threw himself into tackles and continually broke up play. The amount of ground he covered was captured by the number of letters shed from the name on the back of his shoddy shirt, which read ‘olum’ at full-time. His full name should be one of the first on future teamsheets. Rating: 8

His selection in a deeper midfield role signalled the ambition of Heimir Hallgrímsson’s intent but he underwhelmed, flitting anonymously around the game’s edges. Rating: 5

There is a tremendous, direct truculence to Moylan’s running, and it has endeared him to Hallgrímsson and the travelling Irish support. Nothing broke his way in Linz, though, and his set-piece delivery was poor. Rating: 6

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