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Opinion

Player ratings: How the Boys in Green fared against Italy

Ireland faced a win-or-bust clash in Lille tonight.

- Paul Fennessy reports from the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille

Darren Randolph: Didn’t have much to do, but was solid when he needed to be. 7

Seamus Coleman: A solid display as captain, even if he was a little disappointing in the final third. 7

Shane Duffy: Had one dodgy backpass, but was flawless apart from that and gave a commanding display on his competitive debut. 8

Richard Keogh: Didn’t get tight enough to Zaza for the attacker’s volley that went just over, but made one good clearance in the first half and looked solid throughout. 7

Stephen Ward: Made some good tackles and generally did what was expected of him. 7

James McCarthy: There are still times you wished he showed for the ball, but it was easily his best display of the tournament, as he made a number of excellent tackles and interceptions. 7

Jeff Hendrick: Really beginning to look at home in Ireland’s midfield, had one rasping shot that was narrowly off target and had a superb first half in particular. 8

Robbie Brady: Tidy in possession and involved in some nice link-up play, and took his goal brilliantly. 9

James McClean: Unsurprisingly set the tone with a crunching challenge and caused the Italians constant problems down the left. 8

Shane Long: Held the ball up well and won some free kicks, while running tirelessly in attack. 7

Daryl Murphy: Put in a great shift and held the ball up well at times. 7

Subs: Hoolahan created the cross for the goal and McGeady also provided the team with a creative spark. Quinn not on long enough to rate. 8

Martin O’Neill: Every decision he made was vindicated. 10

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