A tetchy Martin O’Neill was delighted with his team’s performance in overcoming Moldova and making it back-to-back World Cup qualifying victories, writes Ger McCarthy.
“It is great to come out with the three points as we played very, very well,” commented the Irish manager to RTÉ’s Tony O’Donoghue.
“Shane scored early for us and settled us down. We could have scored two or three more after that before a ‘dunder-head’ moment and we conceded. Suddenly it is parity again just before half time when the game should have been won.
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill gave his reaction to the 3-1 win over Moldova to @corktod. Watch it here https://t.co/KZkr3bWrol
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 9, 2016
“We had to come out and do it again in the second half but of course, what it did do, was gave them a lift. We pulled it around and won the game and deserved to win the game in the end.
“Some of the sides we have played against in the recent past, I mean we got ahead against Italy and stayed on. We got ahead of Germany and stayed on. We did the same to Serbia, away from home, who just won against Austria tonight too? Not bad, that’s not bad at all.
“Giving the lads a rollicking at half time is immaterial. I have to do a job here and my job is pretty important to me. My players are great and have responded to me in the last few years.”
Two-goal hero James McClean admitted it was an important result for his country and that Ireland were fortunate to concede just before the break rather than full time.
“It’s a massive result for us because just like the Georgia away game, you have to earn the right to play,” admitted McClean.
“We scored early on and if I’m being honest I think we thought it was too easy. Conceding a goal before half time was a wee wakeup call for us. We got another rollicking at half time and rightly so.
“The manager said to us at half time not to get on that plane with any regrets. The only good thing about their goal was that it was just before half time and not full time. We had 45 minutes to put it right and luckily enough we did that.”
Man of the match Wes Hoolahan was glad his team were able to take advantage of a tiring Moldova during a dominant closing period.
“It turned out to be a great night for us especially after they drew level just before half time,” said Hoolahan.
“It was a tight pitch and Moldova closed down the space very well. We knew they’d probably tire in the last 20 minutes and that’s when we started to get on top and create a lot of chances. Before they got the got the equaliser we could have been two or three up but just didn’t take our chances so lucky enough, we got the three points.”
