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EURO friendly report card: Republic of Ireland

Midfielder Wes Hoolahan's importance for the Republic of Ireland was underlined but the big concerns for Martin O'Neill may be injuries to striker Kevin Doyle and goalkeeper Rob Elliot.

Martin O'Neill watches the Republic of Ireland's 1-0 win against Switzerland
Martin O'Neill watches the Republic of Ireland's 1-0 win against Switzerland ©Getty Images

Results
Friday: Ireland 1-0 Switzerland (Clark 2)
Randolph; Coleman, Duffy, Clark, Brady; Judge, Meyler (O'Kane 61, Quinn (McCarthy 61), McGeady (Hayes 61); Long (McClean 84), Doyle (Murphy 26, Hoolahan 79)

A rare goal from defender Ciarán Clark gave Ireland victory against their fellow finalists, though the win was overshadowed by a first-half injury to forward Kevin Doyle, taken to hospital for treatment. Robbie Brady's second-minute corner was flicked on to Clark by fellow defender Shane Duffy and headed beyond the reach of Yann Sommer. Haris Seferovic and Granit Xhaka forced saves from Darren Randolph but he claimed a clean sheet on a night when Shane Long and Duffy impressed for Ireland.

Tuesday: Ireland 2-2 Slovakia (Long 21, McClean 23; Stoch 13, McShane 44og)
Elliot (Randolph 16); Christie, McShane, O'Shea (Pearce 46), Ward (Hayes 78); O'Kane (Pilkington 66), Whelan, McCarthy; Hoolahan (McGeady 73), McClean; Long (Brady 46)

Ireland extended their unbeaten run to four games but for the second time in five days, boss Martin O'Neill was left with a serious injury concern, goalkeeper Rob Elliot carried off on a stretcher 16 minutes into the first half with a knee problem. Miroslav Stoch had fired past Elliot on 13 minutes, before Ireland went 2-1 up with two penalties in the space of two minutes from Long and James McClean. Home defender Paul McShane, under pressure from Róbert Vittek, inadvertently turned the ball past Randolph on 44 minutes to level matters.

Wes Hoolahan under pressure against Slovakia
Wes Hoolahan under pressure against Slovakia©Getty Images

What we learned
1) Ireland are at their most dangerous and most creative when Wes Hoolahan is in the starting XI.

2) Friendly games come with a cost as Kevin Doyle and Rob Elliot both suffered serious injuries in the March matches.

3) Shane Duffy and Eunan O'Kane, uncapped at competitive level, are very much in the frame to make the squad, while Harry Arter – who missed out through injury – has some work to do.

Questions remain
• Where to play Robbie Brady? The Norwich player offers a real threat from set pieces but doubts remain over his defensive abilities. O'Neill must decide between him and Stephen Ward for left-back.

• Aiden McGeady has struggled at club level and needed to leave Everton on loan and drop down a division to gain first-team experience, but has he done enough to gain a place in the starting XI?

• Does O'Neill take a risk by including Robbie Keane and Shay Given in his squad? With 276 caps between them they have invaluable experience but both have struggled with injury this term.

Five great EURO volleys

Room for improvement
Ireland were never really tested against a conservative Swiss side but conceding two soft goals at home to Slovakia was a greater concern.

EURO certainties (if fit)
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (West Ham) 

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Richard Keogh (Derby), Robbie Brady (Norwich), Stephen Ward (Burnley)

Midfielders: Glenn Whelan (Stoke), James McCarthy (Everton), Jeff Hendrick (Derby), James McClean (West Brom), Aiden McGeady (Sheffield Wednesday), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich)

Forwards: Shane Long (Southampton), Jonathan Walters (Stoke), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Daryl Murphy (Ipswich)

Media view
John Giles, ex-Ireland manager and Herald columnist
"Martin O'Neill learned at least one important lesson from these two friendly internationals. Wes Hoolahan must play in every game in France. To me, this is a simple choice. If O'Neill doesn't play Robbie Brady and Hoolahan in midfield, it could be EURO 2012 all over again. Nobody wants that."

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