Not pretty, but Ireland stay on script

It must be the dawn of a new era when one of Ireland’s great recoveries didn’t require the deft touches of Wes Hoolahan, but this wasn’t an evening for silken skills.

The usual outcry accompanied news of the Norwich City playmaker failing to make Martin O’Neill’s starting line-up for a crucial competitive match but different elements were needed on a night when quality levels were on the floor.

The warrior-like attributes of David Meyler and Shane Duffy were more important to Ireland in the Welsh capital than the capabilities of Robbie Brady or Jeff Hendrick and it took last-ditch tackles and blocks to repel the hasty hosts.