TONIGHT’S MATCHWINNER JAMES McClean admits the concession of an equaliser just before half-time served as a wake up call for Ireland before they went onto get the job done in Moldova.
The West Brom winger scored a quickfire double to get Martin O’Neill’s side out of jail after the home side struck to cancel out Shane Long’s early opener.
Victory now means Ireland have seven points from their opening three games and sit joint-top of their World Cup qualifying group.
“It’s massive,” McClean told RTÉ afterwards.
“Like I said against Georgia, we had to earn the right to play. We scored early on and to be honest I think we thought it was too easy and that goal before half-time was a wee wake-up call.
“None of us performed. Up until I actually scored I had a stinker myself, I’m man enough to admit that, but I’m happy to chip in and help the team get a vital win.”
McClean, captain Seamus Coleman and Wes Hoolahan were the standout performers with the latter earning the man-of-the-match award.
The Norwich playmaker was hugely influential throughout after getting the nod to start in the absence of the suspended Jeff Hendrick.
“It was a great night,” Hoolahan said. ”Them drawing level at half-time, we came in and had a little chat, said it wasn’t good enough and we came out again and got two great goals through James.
“It was a tight pitch and Moldova closed down the space very well. We knew they would get tired in the last 20 minutes and that’s when we got on top. and created a lot of chances.
“Before they got the equaliser it could have been two or three nil but we didn’t finish the chances and lucky enough we got the three points.”
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