Colgan pays tribute to team-mates

Man of the match Nick Colgan paid tribute to his team-mates after making his starting debut in the 2-1 friendly victory over Australia at Lansdowne Road.

Colgan, on loan at Stockport, made a couple of good saves in the second half - one to deny Leeds striker Mark Viduka making it 2-0 which would have put the game out of the Republic’s reach.

The Ireland goalkeeper admitted he had been nervous but that the strength of the team in front of him had reassured him and given him confidence.

“I was a little bit nervous, as anyone would be on their first start for their country against a very strong Australian side,” he told Sky Sports.

“But the lads helped me along, who wouldn’t want to play behind these lads.”

Viduka had put the visitors ahead just after half-time before goals from John O’Shea – his first for his country – and Clinton Morrison snatched victory for the Republic.

And Colgan revealed the players had received a rocket from boss Brian Kerr during the interval for a lacklustre first half.

“The manager made it quite clear he was not pleased with the performance and we dug deep in the second half.”