IRELAND CAPTAIN SEAMUS Coleman admits they weren’t at their best against Georgia but says getting the three points is what matters most.
Martin O’Neill’s side were fortunate to come away from the Aviva Stadium with a win tonight and rode their luck in the first half particularly, when Georgia came close to going in front.
The Ireland boss let his players know in no uncertain terms that they needed to improve during the half-time break, and the tempo was increased after the interval — with Coleman finding a winner on 56 minutes.
“We felt relieved because we should have been one down,” the Everton defender said afterwards. “We were poor and the manager let us know. He gave us a bit of a rollicking at half-time, which we deserved.
“I think we stood off them too much and gave them a little bit too much respect. When we had the ball, we probably didn’t give each other enough angles.
“I don’t think any of us came in at half-time thinking that we did well — because we didn’t. We went out second half a bit better and got the goal at the right time.
As a performance it wasn’t great, but it’s all about the three points.”
It was a first international goal for Killybegs native Coleman and aptly came on the night he was also earning his 40th senior cap.
“I felt at that time I could get past the full-back, which I did,” he says, when asked to describe the finish.
“I got a little bit of luck at the end that I probably deserved for the run I made and thankfully I got my first international goal.”
With four points from a possible six, Ireland now travel to the Chisinau for Sunday’s clash with Moldova — bottom of Group D two defeats so far.
“We can go over to Moldova on a bit of a buzz but had we not got the result it would have been disappointing.
“It’s all about getting points on the board. I know for the fans and the media you’d like us to do better and it was a disappointing performance but the three points (are what matters).”
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