McClean fires Ireland into World Cup play-offs

James McClean's 57th minute strike fired Republic of Ireland past Wales and into the World Cup play-offs on a nail-biting night at the Cardiff City stadium.

With only a victory enough to see Martin O'Neill's side leapfrog their Celtic cousins into second spot in group D, a shock win for Georgia over group leaders Serbia would have seen them top the group and secure automatic qualification.

Eyebrows were raised with the news that Wes Hoolahan dropped down to the bench after playing a starring role in the 2-0 win over Moldova on Friday, Robbie Brady, Jeff Hendrick and James McClean returning to the side with Callum O'Dowda and the injured Shane Long making way.

The absence of Hoolahan hinted at what O'Neill's tactics were going to be and so it transpired in the early stages of the game as Wales dominated possession, with Ireland content to sit deep and clear their lines at the earliest opportunity.

Despite their dominance of the ball, Chris Coleman's side were unable to create many clearcut chances and when they did manage a strike on target they found Darren Randolph in brilliant form in the visitors' goal.

Hal Robson-Kanu probably came closest to scoring for Wales but Randolph did superbly to tip his header over the crossbar.

As the first half began to come to a close, Harry Arter and Jeff Hendrick began to construct some attacking passing moves for Ireland while the hosts, without the injured Gareth Bale, started to look as if they had run out of ideas.

The second period confirmed this and 12 minutes after the restart, McClean had broken the deadlock; Hendrick harried and dispossessed Ashley Williams out on the right before driving forward and sending across a low centre, Arter dummied and McClean, first time, blasted into the net, giving Wayne Hennessey absolutely no chance.

The goal silenced the until-then vocal home support, with the away fans now creating all the noise.

Wales were shellshocked and with man-of-the-match Shane Duffy winning everything lobbed towards the Ireland box, it began to look an impossible task for the hosts.

The Irish players worked like trojans to see the game out and with a draw no use to Wales, their heads dropped towards the end and Ireland held on for a deserved three points.

O'Neill and his players celebrated long and hard in front of the jubilant travelling support and, although the game was short on quality for large parts, with this organisation and spirit, Ireland have half a chance of progressing through the play-offs and on to Russia next summer.

Serbia got the victory they needed to top the group with Ireland coming second, nudging the devastated Welsh into third spot and out of the competition.

Premier League football returns this weekend and you can see Arsenal's trip to Vicarage Road to take on Watford on the eir Sport pack, live on BT Sport1 on Saturday evening, kick-off at 17.30.

Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

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