Player ratings

Compiled by  MARY HANNIGAN

SHAY GIVEN 9/10

His non-appearance for the second half would have set hearts aflutter, not least after he reminded us – yet again – just what an outstanding goalkeeper he is. His save from a deflected Balazs Dzsudzsak shot was the pick of the bunch.

JOHN O’SHEA 5/10

He lasted the full 90 minutes, going some way towards proving his fitness. Had a decent headed effort on goal in the first half, he had a torrid evening at the back, struggling to cope with Dzsudzsak.

RICHARD DUNNE 8/10

An uneasy night for the Irish defence, but the fact that they managed, somehow, to keep a clean sheet was largely down to Given, Hungary’s wastefulness in front of goal, and Dunne’s defending. It wasn’t quite Moscow standard, but at times close enough (eg see sliding tackle on Peter Szakaly).

SEÁN ST LEDGER 6/10

A mixed – and busy - night for St Ledger, some excellent last-ditch defending, blocks and tackles, but he was caught out of position at times when the defence was under siege, his slip almost allowing Adam Szalai in to score.

STEPHEN WARD 5/10

An eventful evening for the left-back, the highlight his goal-saving tackle on Szalai that ended with him being stamped on the leg by the striker. He recovered, though, but picked up a yellow card in the second half after pulling back Adam Gyurcso.

DAMIEN DUFF 6/10

A few glimpses of his old trickery, but like the rest of his midfield colleagues he struggled to cope with Hungary’s dominance in the centre and spent much of his 63 minutes on the pitch trying to help out the full-backs.

KEITH ANDREWS 5/10

His workrate can’t be questioned, but, until he was replaced by Gibson for the last half hour, he was part of an Irish midfield that was utterly outplayed by Hungary.

GLENN WHELAN 6/10

Like Andrews, he struggled to make his presence felt in a midfield that was so overrun, but in the closing stages, when Hungary switched to 4-4-2, he found a little more space and time, setting up Walters for a chance with a perfect through ball.

AIDEN MCGEADY 6/10

He had his moments, without ever repeating the impact he had against Bosnia and Herzegovina, setting up Simon Cox nicely with a well-timed pass in the closing stages. Did he do enough to silence the McClean-must-start brigade?

ROBBIE KEANE 5/10

Not the easiest of nights for the Irish attack, with so little supply of any quality. Keane, then, got little chance to shine, a peripheral figure for much of the game until replaced by Cox on 61 minutes.

KEVIN DOYLE 5/10

Still looks low on confidence after a miserable season with Wolves, worked hard, but to little effect. Replaced at half-time.

KIEREN WESTWOOD 7/10

Replaced Given at half-time and made an excellent save from Szalai soon after the break. Consistently solid when he gets his chance.

JONATHAN WALTERS 7/10

On at half-time for Doyle, Walters should have done better with his header from Stephen Hunt’s cross after 77 minutes, but, as ever, he brought energy – and a bit of muscle – to the Irish attack. Good effort earlier in the second half that was well saved by Adam Bogdan.

SIMON COX 5/10

Came on for Robbie Keane with half an hour to go, one reasonable shot from McGeady’s shot, linked up well with Walters at times.

STEPHEN HUNT 6/10

Two big moments when he replaced Duff: his clearance off the line from Szabics’ shot and a perfect cross from the right that Walters should have headed home.

DARRON GIBSON 5/10

Had little impact when he replaced Keith Andrews on 66 minutes.

PAUL GREEN

Not on long enough to be rated.