Lincoln City talent Jack Moylan grabbed an assist on his second start for Ireland, only to be sent off just before half-time for what appeared to be a really soft tackle.
Moylan was called up late to the Ireland squad, but was still picked to start against Qatar by manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, and he got off to a flyer when his free kick was nodded home by Nathan Collins. Moylan was a livewire in the first half, arguably the best player on the pitch, although the game was stopped twice.
Ireland has two matches against Israel in the pipeline, and twice, fans threw tennis balls on the pitch, stopping the game in protest.
The FAI has said the fixtures will still take place despite mounting calls for a boycott over the continuing conflict in the Middle East. Those calls have intensified in recent days, with the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign staging a protest outside the Dáil, Ireland’s parliament, on Tuesday.
FAI chief executive David Courell said the organisation had “no choice” but to proceed, warning that withdrawing could bring “serious consequences”. Speaking earlier in the week, Collins suggested players would not be blocked if they chose to make an individual stand, while manager Heimir Hallgrimsson admitted it was “unfair for the players to be in this position”.
The players coped well, Moylan in particular, until he was sent off for a tackle on Jassem Gaber just before half time. Moylan was visibly gutted as he left the field, and as he did, the spirit of the game went with him. Indeed, the BBC website gave him Man of the Match even though he only played 44 minutes, an indication of his impact.
However, after the game, Ireland boss Hallgrimsson admitted the red card was soft, and told Jack what he needed to do to be included for the Nations League matches at the end of September.
“Absolutely. I thought it was just a wrong decision and a mistake from the referee,” Hallgrimsson said.
“We all make mistakes, but it was costly for Jack Moylan, having played really well in the first half.”
With four goal involvements in two matches, as well as his red card, Jack’s start to life in an Ireland shirt has certainly been explosive, and he need not worry about the card damaging his prospects. The Icelandic manager ensured he returned home with an endorsement of his impact and hope for upcoming Nations League matches.
“When his season starts and he’s playing one league higher than he did last season, let’s see how he does,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.
“Until the end of September, it’s probably a few games in the Championship he needs to play, so let’s see how he starts next season. But the potential is there, 100 per cent.”
The key new is for Jack to put the poor decision behind him, and focus on the positives, which is another strong outing in green, and a strengthening of his chances in the future.
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