Ireland’s match winners now coming from further afield

Drastic circumstances warrant drastic action and the foray into enemy territory by Seamus Coleman for his first international goal last night not only bailed Ireland out but underlined our reliance on players from around the pitch to become match-winners.

Goals from Shane Long and Jon Walters helped get Ireland through the business end of the last campaign and into the Euros, yet the fact Wes Hoolahan and Robbie Brady provided the goals in France was the first hint of the problem afflicting Martin O’Neill’s team.

Robbie Keane’s guaranteed spot and goalscoring prowess had both waned by then, highlighting the scarcity of ready-made replacements available to come in and take the scoring mantle.