Caoimhín Kelleher: RTÉ’s man-of-the-match winner played well until the dying moments. Made a couple of good saves in the first half to keep Ireland in the game but was at fault for the second goal, playing a sloppy pass to unwittingly set up Petros Mantalos. 6
Dara O’Shea: Had a lot of defending to do in the first half but generally coped well with the Greek pressure. Saw more of the ball in the Greek half after the break before being replaced late on by Kasey McAteer. 7
Nathan Collins: Having had a few shaky moments against Finland, barely put a foot wrong tonight and made some good interceptions while he was one of the more assured Irish players on the ball. 7
Liam Scales: Was outstanding in the first half especially, getting crucial blocks in on a few occasions. The Celtic star has had a good window having impressed against Finland too and was just unlucky with his attempted block deflecting in for the opening goal. 7
Robbie Brady: His set pieces caused the Greeks some problems in the second half, but he was one of several Ireland players guilty of being wasteful in possession on a couple of occasions in the opening period. 6
Josh Cullen: Protected the backline well and made some good tackles and interceptions. However, he was less impressive in possession. 6
Jason Knight: Plenty of effort as ever but was part of an Irish midfield that was clearly second best against their Greek opponents. 5
Chiedozie Ogbene: Had one or two decent forward runs but generally struggled to influence the game and was replaced early in the second half by Festy Ebosele. 5
Sammie Szmodics: Showed good defensive discipline at times but most of his energy was expended without the ball and will be disappointed he couldn’t do more from in the attacking third. 5
Troy Parrott: Had occasional bright moments but was too often on the periphery of the match. Ireland are still waiting for a player to nail down the number 10 role. 5
Evan Ferguson: Missed a great chance early on when he arguably should have had a penalty after being pushed by Lazaros Rota. Otherwise, the teenager was largely isolated up front and didn’t have many opportunities owing to a lack of service. 5
Subs: Jayson Molumby, Festy Ebosele, Jack Taylor and Mikey Johnston all made positive contributions when they came on. Kasey McAteer had little time to influence game but added extra threat down the right. 7
Relax folks. He scored a brace of tries against a side missing 18 front liners. Was non existent against Glasgow. Scored one try in 2 games in SA but did very little else. Wasn’t great against Connacht either. Defence is poor also. Let’s see how he goes away to Cardiff and then home to Leinster before we decide to lose the run of ourselves altogether.
@Ray Ridge: obviously going to b Hansen lowe. If lowes injured Stockdale has a great chance
@Ray Ridge: give him credit, back in 2018 he was world class but injuries spoilt his form. Has been working hard these past few years to regain his best form
@Ray Ridge: More negativity from Ray the all knowing. Give it a rest will you?
@Ray Ridge: Goodnite debbie donwer
@Oliver Curley: Be some day before riddly ray gives anyone credit
@Shawn: Ray Rimjob
@Gary Galligan: Stockdale on the right wing? Very unlikely
@Shawn: I gave him credit in 2018. It’s now 2024. Move with the times baby.
@Patrick Kennedy: He is everywhere
@Ray Ridge: Spoofer trolling
@Shawn: a bit like yourself?
@Ray Ridge: Pretty right with everything there.
@brian o’leary: I dont troll are spoof are be 100 percent negitive and cringe
@Ray Ridge: quiet, steamer.
@Ray Ridge: yes and he is getting back there. How was it when you played ? I played 20 years, some years better than others for different reasons. How did you cope with it. Your comments/insights are always so negative, if you don’t enjoy sport with its ups and downs then why not just ignore it and perhaps focus on a gardening group
Think there is a lot of exaggeration here. Lowe is a better player and more suited to Ireland so hard to get ahead of him. Secondly, unfortunately Stockdale’s defensive issues remain so unless that changes overnight it’s hard to see him back being a regular starter for Ireland. Worth his place in the squad though sure.
@Carmine Lorenzo: considering both at their best, Stockdale has more out and out pace and better in air going forward. Lowe more powerful, lower center of gravity, quicker in short spaces. Attack at their best, it’s close. Both had big defensive issues in terms of positioning and even technically making tackles. In fairness to Lowe, he worked hard on his defensive game to the extent it’s a weakness that is rarely exposed. There is still big questions over stockdale in this area I would say. But as Lowe showed, it can be worked on, it’s not a question of talent, more concentration and hard work
@Michael Corkery: Don’t know if defensively is a weakness anymore, certainly not since Murphy has come in, think strategy under DMcF left wingers exposed, as each Ulster winger has been criticised defensively. Certainly with Kok coming in Stockdale has used his physically more and work rate, owned Hansen (albeit Hansen just returning from injury) V Connacht, so that Hansen had a very quiet game, there was a clear winner in that wing head to head.
@Kingshu: he is a defensive liability,hes had enough time to fix that part of his game,a pity cause going forward hes very good,id still have lowe miles ahead,and jimmy o brien
@Kingshu: it’s still a huge weakness , he falls off tackles and show no aggression
@Owen ODonoghue: you haven’t watched this season then? Hansen certainly isn’t saying he showed no aggression. Since Kok or Murphy came in, he is really using his physicality.
Stockdale is a massive liability defensively.
@Aidan Farrell: morning ray
@Shawn: Your awful cranky again this morning. You should have stayed in bed another while.
@Ray Ridge: You make me cranky baby
@Ray Ridge: How bad are west ham omg
If Stockdale made the defensive howlers that Lowe and Hansen make there’d be ructions here. Give him a break, he’s a cracking winger. And Farrell doesn’t favour defensive strengths over attack.
@Rab McCracken: thats just it though lowe doesnt make those mistakes anymore,he went away and worked hard on it,the guy pops up everywhere,hes a far better talent and if you took a poll,id say lowe would easily come out on top.until stockdale learns how to defend,he will not be starting any ireland games bar injury
Man of the match! Well done
Is it insane to think Mike Lowry might get a call up? He’s been playing so well, he looks sharp, he defends really well for a man his size and his footballing ability provides another creative player in the wide margins, which Farrell likes
@Farz S: …think it’s the old story of a good big one – over a very good-in this case – small one.
@Michael Murray: Yeah, I’m guessing that’s how it will work out; but it doesn’t hold him back that much. …. his ability in the air is actually better than most people. His defence is great, he always makes the right decision in the wide channels and stands up really well for a man his size; his hit on the Ospreys 6 last night was excellent.
Admittedly, he’s never going to physically dominate anyone and he probably won’t get a call up, but it wouldn’t be a total shock.
@Farz S: Great player, if he can stay on the pitch he could quickly become an excellent option, behind Keenan.
@Thesaltyurchin: Osborne and Haley Infront of mike I’m afraid
@Gary Galligan: I’d say Osborne is ahead after the SA tour, but not Haley. Haley is 30 and had one cap five years ago. Lowry has only one cap as well, but it was more recent and he played a blinder.
@Farz S: playing so well ? He barely started this season
@Rab McCracken: Osborne could actually put pressure on Keenan based on that performance?
@brian o’leary: nah
Following the retirement of Keith Earls, Stockdale was in the last 2 Irish squads (6N and SA). But I don’t think he played at all. All the alternative possibilities being talked about to back up Lowe at 11 are still just potential – Tommy O’Brien and Shayne Bolton getting injured before the EI tour lost their chances to impress. So I think Stockdale is a certainty for the November squad, will surely play in at least one game; and, with Lowe being 32, is the front runner to replace him in the short/medium term
@Kevin Ryan: Bolton looks a real find
@Gary Galligan: Bolton could be the bolter for sure. Very aggressive. Good tackler also. Still work in progress but keep an eye on this guy.
@Gary Galligan: Hopefully so, but he hasn’t got a big body work yet. Real shame he missed the EI tour. Anyways, he’s got a big opportunity tonight, and really should be expected to have a big game as Leinster’s wings are the weakest part of their selection (IMO)
@Gary Galligan: Why dont he want to play for SA?
@Shawn: why doesn’t van der merwe
@Gary Galligan: Dont know as well
I’d have Stockdale over Nash….and mebbe ‘flash in the pan??’ Hansen. He in fine form…. Hansen…no form except Stockdale same wing as Lowe
@Michael Murray: Michael, I normally agree with you, but not on this one. Nash and Hansen are more complete players with superior defence.
@Kenjo: …OK, get that. By no means a Stockdale fan, but form has to be recognised-not necessarily rewarded – and he is THE irish winger catching the eye on a regular basis.
@Michael Murray: can’t understand this. Hansen has been brilliant for Ireland. We are notably more dangerous when he plays. Nash has been very solid. Ceiling not as high as Hansen but very effective
@Michael Murray: Hansen is world class
@Michael Corkery:….I’m one of those voyeurs on/of this site so won’t get to see the finished article….buts it’s more about how the Irish Management Team actually manage form. If you are tearing up tree and not recognised at the top level….what’s the point in busting your butt. The is an opportunity to let the wider group of elite contending international players know that their efforts even though not in squad know they have a chance and in an opposite manner to let someone within the squad know that there us improvement expected. Stockdale is knocking on that door. …..also sends a good message to fans/ supporters.
Stockdale at his best is world class. You can add Lowe and Hansen to the list. And unfortunately there are no others in Irish rugby.
@Tom Reilly: lol dorris henshaw porter sheehan ryan joe ringrose kennan henshaw so so many
@Shawn: I’m talking about wingers obviously. Of course if Ireland is number 1 in the world then it stands to sense that it has many world class players.
@Shawn: Donnacha Ryan retired a long time ago
@Mistral: james ryan
@Tom Reilly: Were u ok
@Shawn: Not too bad, fairly fast and good in the air.
@Tom Reilly: You sure are
It’s now Ulstertainment! All because Richie Murphy is such an excellent coach! He knows how to bring out the best in players, young and seasoned! Stocks looks rejuvenated on the wing. Treders looking fierce in attack. Alan O’Connor was on the pitch the entire game and handled the ref superbly. Eric O’Sullivan’s slick pass to set up the try should have been the URC try of the season before it got taken off. The young players too many to list were absolutely brilliant! Ulster’s attack play reminds of how the All Blacks used to run with ball in hand from deep in their own half to score a try.
@Linda: Good lord. We should send Ulster to represent Ireland at the next World Cup.
@Ray Ridge: S U
@Linda: Agree
@Ray Ridge: might not get past the quarter finals if you did that Ray!
Stockdale is well down the pecking order , Lowe , Hanson , Nash, Osborne & JOB all ahead of him as a starting wing. AF may be tempted to include some bolsters instead of him too – Daly, Bolton, Russell even Zak Ward
Neither Lowe nor Hansen are World class, they’re not quick enough and they don’t strike fear into proper rugby teams
They look good in an all court game that is being dominated by the forwards but disappear when the pressure comes on.
Lowes defence and defensive reads are so bad that Ireland and Leinster put other players, Keenan and Gibson park on the wing when it’s getting dangerous and don’t bore me about Lowes left boot either
But it is his defence at the highest level that is worrying…
Stockdale is Ireland’s best winger when on form. No one has done what he has done on the international stage. He is now back on form