Ireland player ratings v North Macedonia as sides play out scoreless draw

Ireland and North Macedonia played out a goalless draw with Caoimhin Kelleher, Seamus Coleman and Troy Parrott among the standout performers in the international friendly match.

Caoimhin Kelleher: Had one save to make in the first-half when a deflected free-kick came through the wall, but he dealt with it well by diving to his left and pushing the ball around the post. 6

John Egan: A first start in two and a half years and Egan can be happy with his night’s work, with very little to do at one end and a cross that Troy Parrott failed to convert at the other. 6

Nathan Collins: A quiet night too for the captain, who made a couple of interceptions and tackles when needed, as the visitors posed little threat. 6

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Dara O’Shea: Likewise O’Shea had little to do, but he showed good distribution in the first half to find Seamus Coleman, whose header teed up an early Chiedozie Ogbene chance. 6

Seamus Coleman: A leader’s performance as per usual. He played like there was a World Cup place at stake and spent much of his time on the pitch in the North Macedonian half. 7

Jason Knight: A solid performance on his return to Heimir Hallgrímsson’s starting-11. 6

Jayson Molumby: Another assured display after his man of the match performance in Prague means he will hold onto the Josh Cullen role for the foreseeable future. 6

Liam Scales: Back in at left-wing-back after suspension and he rambled forward as often as he could, and saw one shot blocked in the second-half. 6

Chiedozie Ogbene: Another eager display despite his lack of action at club level, and he was unlucky not to score early on. 6

Finn Azaz: Linked up well with Troy Parrott, but could have had a goal of his own had he brought his shooting boots. Plenty to come from the Southampton man. 7

Troy Parrott: Couldn’t find the target when it mattered, but produced two delightful finishes when flagged for offside. He hit the post in the second-half. 7

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SUBS:

Harvey Vale (for Molumby 61): Produced a couple of decent crosses. 6

Bosun Lawal (for Azaz 61): An eagerly anticipated debut, with more to come. 6

James Abankwah (for Coleman 61): Forced off with an injury. 6

Mark Travers (for Kelleher 61): Very little to do. 6

Jake O’Brien (for Egan 72): Not on long enough to rate.

Adam Idah (for Parrott 72): Not on long enough to rate.

Johnny Kenny (for Ogbene 83): Not on long enough to rate.

Alan Browne (for Abankwah 83): Not on long enough to rate.

North Macedonia: Stole Dimitrievski 6; Gjoko Zajkov 6, Darko Velkovski 5 (Nikola Serafimov 46, 5), Imran Fetai 6 (Visar Musliu 66, 5); Darko Churlinov 6, Tihomir Kostadinov 6 (Boban Nikolov 60, 5), Isnik Alimi 6 (Ljupche Doriev 60, 6), Sebastijan Herera 6; Enis Bardhi 5 (Milan Ristovski 46, 6), Eljif Elmas 6 (Reshat Ramadani 60, Egzon Bejtulai 72), Elmin Rastoder 5 (Daniel Mustovski 46, 6).

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