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Chris Radburn
out of 10

Player ratings: Here's how we reckon the Boys in Green fared in their Euro 2016 opener

We mark the Ireland players after tonight’s 1-1 draw with Sweden in Paris.

- Ben Blake reports from the Stade de France, Saint-Denis

Darren Randolph 8 - Ireland’s number one was confident in coming out to gather crosses in the first half and, apart from one suspect kick-out, performed extremely well.

Seamus Coleman 8 - The full-back looked slightly uncertain early on but grew into the match and went on to put a super performance. It was his excellent run and cross which set up Hoolahan’s goal.

John O’Shea 8 - A reassuring presence at the heart of Ireland’s defence from the Ireland skipper and agonisingly close to scoring in the first half.

Ciaran Clark 7 -  The Aston Villa man got the nod at centre-half and put his head on everything that came his way. Unfortunately, one of those balls ended up in the Ireland net.

Robbie Brady 7 - Aside from a solid performance at the back, Brady looked dangerous when he got forward and fizzed a shot just over the bar in the first half.

Glenn Whelan 8 - Sat at the base of the diamond to and worked tirelessly to help to stop Ibrahimovic dropping deep and influencing the game.

James McCarthy 7 - A couple of loose passes and had to be careful after getting himself booked trying to make up for a heavy touch.

Jeff Hendrick 8 - Made some great runs and was desperately unlucky not to score on a number of occasions. His shot cannoned off the crossbar and Andreas Isaksson saved a couple more.

Jon Walters 7 - One of the country’s best-loved players won the race to be fit and put in a real shift before being substituted after 64 minutes.

Wes Hoolahan 9 - Ireland’s little schemer came more into the game as it went on and began to work his magic. Took his goal magnificently well and it will go down in history along with the nation’s most memorable moments.

Shane Long 7 - There was a lot of pressure on the shoulders of Long going into this tournament and he rans his socks off to cause problems for the Swedish defence but he didn’t get the breaks on the night.

Substitutes

James McClean 6 - The winger injected a bit of pace and directness when he came on in the second half.

Robbie Keane 5 - Thrown on to nick a winner but the chance never fell to him.

Aiden McGeady 5 - A late cameo for the winger, who got on the ball to attempt to create something special.

 

Listen to The42′s Ben Blake on the 98FM Euro 2016 Daily podcast throughout the tournament 

LIVE: Ireland v Sweden, Euro 2016

Walters named in Ireland’s team to face Sweden at Euro 2016

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