Fringe men stake their claims

Rep of Ireland 2 Poland 0

Whether the latter’s hugely impressive 30 minutes in the Aviva will inspire Giovanni Trapattoni to see him in more than a cameo role must remain moot but, for the Irish fans who made up the minority in a bumper attendance of 43,100, there was enough in Hoolahan’s impeccable contribution to warm the cockles on a cold night and confirm why, in Norwich, the faithful have taken to hailing him as ‘Wessi’.

Mind, early on, there was scant evidence that the home supporters would end the evening with anything at all to sing about. Confounding hopes of, at least, a high-tempo start by Ireland, all the early running was made by Poland, Shane Long left isolated up front as the home side was obliged to soak up fairly relentless pressure.