Video
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 June 2023 | 7:45 pm | UEFA EURO Qualification | 2022/23 |
Match Report
Ireland Pick Up First Euro 2024 Win In Style Over Gibraltar
It was a night of firsts at the Aviva as the Republic of Ireland picked up their first win of the Euro 2024 Qualifying campaign. Mikey Johnston, and Adam Idah scored their first goals for Ireland, while for Evan Ferguson it was his first competitive goal for his country.
After a poor first half that saw Gibraltar keeper Dayle Coleing forced into making just one decent save of note, the Republic finally broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute through Johnston. Ferguson got a second for Ireland seven minutes later. Idah sealed the win in stoppage time.
Ireland created their first chance inside the opening minute when Jamie McGrath’s strike was saved by Coleing.
Despite having the majority of possession in the first half Ireland failed to really make the Gibraltar netminder work. James McClean had a strike in the 11th minute but the keeper saved it easily.
From a McClean corner in the 15th minute Nathan Collins was just inches away from connecting with it at the back post. Dara O’Shea and Evan Ferguson had efforts as Ireland huffed and puffed but couldn’t find a way to get that opening goal. Just before the break McGrath forced the Coleing into making an excellent save.
There were boos from a small section of the crowd at half-time as some supporters showed their frustrations.
Manager Stephen Kenny introduced Johnston at half-time and the winger scored his first goal for Ireland in the 52nd minute. Will Smallbone’s free-kick was blocked into the path of Johnston and he made no mistake from close range.
Ireland doubled their advantage in the 59th minute. Johnston played the ball out wide to McClean, he whipped in a cross that was headed home by Ferguson. Substitute Troy Parrott saw his effort saved by the Gibraltar netminder before O’Shea’s long range effort brought a save out of Coleing.
On the night he earned his 100th cap, McClean had a chance to grab a third goal for Ireland in the 79th minute. Johnston with the pass to the Derry man but his shot got a nick off a Gibraltar player and out for a corner.
McClean turned provider for Ireland’s third goal in stoppage time; his cross headed to the net by Idah.
Timeline
Past Meetings
 
(Round 1)
6 - 0U19 International
Central Park, Denbigh Ireland v Gibraltar |
Ground
| Aviva Stadium |
|---|
| Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, Pembroke West A ED, Dublin, Dublin 4, Leinster, D04 FP65, Ireland |
Deniese O'Flaherty
Deniese is a freelance sports journalist/broadcaster. She has worked for several local and national media outlets. GAA and soccer are her great loves and she also follows rugby league and snooker. She's a big supporter of her local clubs St. Mary's GAA Granard and Longford Town. She also follows Celtic, Liverpool and Leeds Rhinos. She presented and produced a popular sports podcast last year where she interviewed Ray Houghton, Chris Kamara and John Hartson. Deniese is currently Head of Communications for Boccia Ireland
Adam Idah heads home a James McClean cross
Jason Knight is off
Jeff Hendrick is on
Evan Ferguson is off
Adam Idah is on
Ferguson being awkward. That's what you like to see
McClean comes so close. Ball played back to him, the takes a shot but it gets a nick off a Gibraltar player and out for a corner.
Mikey Johnston dinks inside before taking a shot but it flashes wide.
There is an attempt at a Mexican Wave here.
Ethan Britto is off
Scott Ballantine is on
Will Smallbone is off
Alan Browne is on
Ethan Jolley is booked
Gibraltar corner but Gavin Bazunu saves
Mohamed Badr is off
Ethan Jolley is on
Dara O'Shea with a long range effort that Coleing saves
Troy Parrott with a shot and Coleing down to save
Stand up for the boys in green rings around the stadium
Evan Ferguson doubles Ireland's advantage. Mikey Jonson played the ball out wide to James McClean and his cross was headed home by Ferguson
Michael Obafemi is off
Troy Parrott is on
Will Smallbone's free was blocked down and it fell nicely to Johnston to fire home from close range
Mikey Johnson with his first goal for the Republic of Ireland.
Mikey Johnston earns a corner
John Sergeant is off
Tjay De Barr is on
Nathan Collins is off
Mikey Johnston is on
A few boos at the half-time whistle.
Ireland are huffing and puffing but nothing is being blown down.
Jamie McGrath forces Coleing into making an excellent save.
The injured Roy Chipolina goes off
Aymen Mouelhi is on
John Sergeant is booked
Good cross from McClean but Ferguson doesn't get enough on it and it goes wide
My esteemed colleague Ciaran Callan has just told me the possession stat is 72% Ireland. I actually thought it was more.
This is like watching some of the GAA matches with so many numbers behind the ball
Evan Ferguson with a strike but the keeper saves.
Ball in from Jason Knight, and Michael Obafemi just couldn't connect.
Gibraltar win a free kick in the Irish half
Dara O'Shea with a strike but too easy.
McClean's corner, and Nathan Collins just inches away at the back post.
Another corner for Ireland
McClean with an effort, keeper catches it easily.
Few wayward passes. Few decent passes but nothing created.
Ireland with their first corner
Jamie McGrath with a shot and the keeper has to get down to it.
James McClean received his 100th cap from President Michael D Higgins. Lovely hug between the pair.
A perfect night in Dublin for a game of football. Crowd slowly coming in.
The pressure is on Ireland and manager Stephen Kenny. Despite the performance and narrow defeat to France in their first game they were extremely poor on Friday night as they lost 2-1 away to Greece.
A big night for James McClean. The Derryman earns his 100th cap and his captaining the side. Irish manager Stephen Kenny was the man to hand McClean his League of Ireland debut with Derry City.
Welcome to Final Whistle's coverage of the Republic of Ireland v Gibraltar. Deniese O'Flaherty here at the Aviva.