Double goalscorer Troy Parrott unsurprisingly rated the star man as the Republic of Ireland drew 2-2 with Austria in your archetypal game of two halves at Aviva Stadium.
Caoimhín Kelleher - 6
Gavin Bazunu was the Ireland goalkeeper generating most of the headlines over recent days, but Kelleher was always going to be first-choice here and he ensured Ireland went in ahead at half-time, pulling off a brilliant fingertip save to deny Patrick Wimmer just before Ireland scored their penalty. He also punched a dangerous cross clear when it looked like he and Dara O'Shea were about to collide and later showed good hands to keep out a Nicolas Seiwald drive from distance. Would need a post-match interview to ask what happened with second goal.
Dara O’Shea - 7
Having seen Austria pull level with their two quick-fire goals, the stand-in captain decided to take matters into his own hands late on and nearly won it with a thumping strike that Florian Wiegele batted away acrobatically. O’Shea had a solid game on the right side of the back three and looked particularly assured when cutting out a dangerous Sasa Kalajdzic cross with Romano Schmid lurking with intent in the box. Nearly got in a tangle with Kelleher when they both contested the same cross into the box, but he wasn’t fazed and kicked on to lead by example.
John Egan - 6
The Hull City man clearly made a mental note of the early bodycheck that Sasa Kalajdzic dished out to Troy Parrott as he delivered one of his own to the big Austrian striker in the first half, laying him out and also laying down a marker that stood to him until Ireland’s six minutes of madness when they coughed up the win. Egan had his hands full with Sasa Kalajdzic but relished the battle, carrying his fine early season club form with him into this international window even if the concession of those two goals will irk the defence.
Liam Scales - 5
The Celtic defender played on the left side of the back three and enjoyed his best moment of the game when he slid in to block down Xaver Schlager in the box, as the Austrian midfielder prepared to cross at close range. His partnership with Manning on that left side never really ignited, but it was functional. He mistimed one or two tackles and a couple of passes also went astray, but he was generally dependable before making way for Liam Kitching just after the hour.
James Abankwah - 7
When opportunity knocks, you have to answer the call and Abankwah has done that in this window. With Seamus Coleman out of the picture for now, the former St Pat’s man has been parachuted into the frame, starting all three games to date at right wing-back and he justified Heimir Hallgrimsson’s faith in him once again with a purposeful display on his seventh appearance, both in attack and in defence. But the second-half booking he picked up means he is suspended for Sunday’s 'home' game with Israel in Serbia and he was subbed off.
Conor Coventry - 6
Coventry kept his place in the starting team after a decent display in Sunday’s win over Israel and while there was nothing headline-grabbing in his performance here, it was quietly effective alongside Finn Azaz in the deep lying midfield roles. It’s no secret that Ireland’s engine room is in need of repair, so this was another opportunity for Hallgrimsson to assess his options. Coventry’s athleticism, physicality and composure on the ball stood to him and the team for the second game running and he made an important late intervention in the box to break down an Austrian attack when they were chasing a winner.
Finn Azaz - 6
Back in the starting team having sat out Sunday’s win over Israel, the only way was up for Azaz after a less than convincing display in last week’s defeat to Kosovo, although he wasn’t alone in that regard. He played in a deeper role here alongside Coventry and gave a disciplined performance. Some of his quick touches and intricate passing were nice to watch but you always sensed there was more in the tank. Mind you, Ireland were protecting a two-goal lead at that stage, so a more structured approach from the playmaker was needed until he was pushed into a higher role when Idah was replaced.
Ryan Manning - 7
Ireland’s left wing-back looked for a penalty in the first half when he went down in the box under a challenge from Stefan Posch, but there was minimal contact and Manning cut the look of a man who had tried to make the most of the situation. But just before half-time, he did win Ireland a spotkick when Nicolas Seiwald clipped him. It looked soft and went to VAR, but the decision stood and Parrott scored. Manning grew into the contest and raided well at times and fired off a shot at the death as Ireland chased a winner.
Jack Moylan - 6
There’s not too many players who can get bums off seats at Aviva Stadium, but Moylan is already one of them. He has made quite the impact on the international stage in a short period of time since scoring a hat-trick on his debut in May. But while the Cardiff City ace packed a real punch against Israel in Hungary last weekend, he wasn’t as effective here, although not for the lack of effort with supporters raising the decibels when he got on the ball. But his frees were not as sharp as Ireland needed them to be, particularly after Austria’s fightback and the game there for the taking.
Troy Parrott - 8
Everything this man touches turns to goals - and what a goal to put Ireland ahead. Parrott’s highlights reel is already laced with collectors items but his 12th minute opener is up there with the great individual goals scored at this venue. Played in by Adam Idah, and facing three Austrian defenders, he had no option but to go it alone. He nutmegged Nicolas Seiwald, turned David Affengruber inside out and then slotted the low finish through the legs of goalkeeper Florian Wiegele to spark wild scenes. And just for good measure, be buried a second from the penalty spot to put Ireland 2-0 up at the break.
Adam Idah - 6
There have been times when Idah has been unable to hide his frustration at his lack of starts under Hallgrimsson, but the Swansea City ace has certainly made his case in the last two games. He linked up well with Parrott and the pair were aggressive in their press, forcing Austria into mistakes before then teeing up Parrott for his opener with a well-placed header that set the wheels in motion. He put himself about in the box, too, but made way just after the hour mark, as Ireland added an extra midfielder in the hope of protecting their lead.
Substitutes: Liam Kitching for Scales (63 mins) - 5
A second cap for the Sheffield United loanee who impressed when handed a start in last Sunday’s win over Israel.
Jayson Molumby for Idah (63 mins) - 5
Although Austria’s goal was initially ruled out for offside, the VAR checked spotted that the ball clipped Molumby before Alexander Prass smashed home.
Chiedozie Ogbene for Parrott (75 mins) - 5
Lack of club minutes was evident against Kosovo but he brought some late urgency to the cause off the bench.
Jake O’Brien for Abankwah (75 mins) - 5
Slotted into Abankwah’s right wing back slot but arrived at a time when Ireland were blowing their two goal lead.
Tom Cannon for Moylan (85 mins) - 5
Thrown into the mix late on to try to snatch a winner but Ireland were under the cosh at that stage.
