Shay Given 5

No saves to make due to a confident showing from the back four.

Seamus Coleman 6

Excellent technique to connect with rising ball for 37th minute shot that gave the crowd a much needed excuse to roar. Poor crossing in general. Nearly scored in the 57th minute.

John O’Shea 7

Still seems to care more than most, haranguing the Hungarian referee as a limp game paused for the interval. An occasional jitter but mostly authoritative.

Ciaran Clark 6

Neat, assured centre half who wasn’t exposed as he had been in previous internationals.

Robbie Brady 6

Shaky introduction with two errors that reminds all of his value from corners. Atoned with an important late dispossession of Papunashvili.

Glenn Whelan 6

Maddening yellow card takes him out of Germany game. Didn’t foul Papunashvili but did abuse the referee. Twice. Two shots forced saves out of Georgian goalkeeper.

James McCarthy 6

Grew into the second half in the inside right role, becoming an offensive proposition when dipping his shoulder and plunging towards the end line. Brave but out of position.

Jeff Hendrick 7

A creative figure tasked with worker bee duties. Embraced the role until this game demanded his true self, barging and gliding past three Georgians before finding Walters for the goal.

Wes Hoolahan 7

Worked himself to a standstill when trying to thieve Georgian midfielders but that goes against the reason for his presence on the pitch. Triggered encouraging flecks of play whenever in possession.

Jon Walters 7

A man who best sums up the personality of this team. Honest, industrious and strong without the true menace of an elite striker but his desire earned Ireland three points.

Robbie Keane 5

Gone after 45 minutes. There was a chance after six minutes when Hoolahan prodded a ball to the back post. Bygone he would have unfurled a spectacular scissor-kick to the net but here he chested and skied.

Subs 6

Shane Long made an immediate impact, showing for ball, both high and low, and winning it. The opposite of Keane unfortunately. James McClean immediately sliced Papunashvili's ankle and is now also suspended.

Coach 8

Nicely set up team delivered a performance deserving of more than a 1-0 victory. Didn’t blink when replacing Robbie Keane with Shane Long.