Republic of Ireland player ratings -v- Wales (March 24 2017)

On a difficult night for Martin O'Neill's side, down key players like of James McCarthy, Robbie Brady and Shane Duffy to injury and suspension, the standout performances were defensive for Ireland as Ireland battled the threat of Gareth Bale from the midfield and flanks.

Darren Randolph: 6

Solid when called upon, the West Ham United goalkeeper had little to do in the game. He saved a swirling Gareth Bale free kick early in the second half and dived after a snapshot from the Real Madrid man that bounced wide of the post. Commanding under the high ball, as ever, his only black mark was a delayed clearance that was almost run down by Hal Robson-Kanu.

Seamus Coleman: 6

The captain, as is often the case, had more cause to demonstrate his defensive capabilities going forward as he was kept busy by the industrious and pacey Neil Taylor all night. A few key blocks and tackles on Bale in the early stages as the Wales dangerman roamed across the forward line, but is night will be remembered for a serious injury caused by Taylor's reckless lunge.

Richard Keogh: 5

The Derby County defender has never looked fully assured in defence for Ireland and his error in gifting the ball to Bale on the break saw the striker slam a shot mere wide of the top corner. On the other hand, his ability to carry the ball out of defence provided Ireland with some degree of relief under the pressure of defence, although frequently his options were limited.

John O'Shea: 6

The Waterford man took over the captaincy from Coleman after Taylor's horror challenge, and was generally the calmer head alongside the less predictable Keogh. His was the vital intervention that prevented Ramsey from latching onto a Robson-Kanu back header during the first Welsh purple patch after 15 minutes.

Stephen Ward: 6

The left back had more opportunity as an attacking outlet as his captain, but was more often to be found checking the forward runs of wing back Chris Gunter, whose cross early in the second half created half a chance for the inrushing Taylor, however another solid night from the Burnley man.

Glenn Whelan: 7

Whelan was tasked with screening the back four and, along with David Meyler, to limit the space for Bale to drop off and shoot off his lethal left foot. With the exception of one chance at the beginning of the second half, when Bale was able to stand him up and shoot just wide, he succeeded. Copped a bandaged head after bravely stooping to head off Ramsey's toe, and his set-pieces were a threat throughout.

David Meyler: 6

A last-minute replacement for the injured James McCarthy, Meyler sat alongside Whelan in the deep midfield role as Ireland were content to allow Wales have possession in their own half. Tracking the forward runs of Ramsey was no easy task, and Ramsey did have a couple of near misses in the box, but a solid outing from the Hull midfielder.

Jeff Hendrick: 4

The furthest forward of Ireland's midfield three, Hendrick struggled to get into the game and, with Meyler and Whelan occupied in defence, he needed to drop deeper to make himself an option for a pass. Hassled off the ball by Bale in the first half, only to be bailed out by an excellent covering challenge from McClean, it wasn't Hendrick's best evening in green. Came to prominence after the red card as he looked to thread through a couple of passes to Long, but overall a frustrating night.

James McClean: 8

The Derry man, wearing number five in honour of his late friend Ryan McBride, arrived with a point to prove and his relentless running and pace was vital to keeping Wales' counter-attacking threat under wraps. A string of crucial tackles and interventions in the first half ensured the Welsh had no real chance to show for their possession in the first half, and was unlucky to see his volley deflected inches wide by James Chester late on. On what was a very emotional night for McClean, the winger showed great maturity as he continues to become one of the most valuable players in Martin O'Neill's squad.

Jon Walters: 5

The Stoke City striker worked hard in his rotating position between wide right and up front, but he'll be disappointed to have been caught offside twice in the first half as Ireland looked to mount a rare attack. Endured a battering at times from Chester and Ashley Williams in the air, but despite always being willing to run he had little effect in the attacking third.

Shane Long: 5

Another thankless shift for the Southampton striker, who had to feed off long balls for the majority of the night while left to toil alone against Wales' three-man central defence. Nevertheless, the Tipperary man won his fair share of headers but with Ireland so rarely playing through the middle, and Ashley Williams attacking every cross with gusto, he struggled to make a positive impression.

Subs:

Cyrus Christie: 6

Christie's introduction, as a result of Wales being reduced to ten men, signalled a shift in the game's momentum and the Derby County speedster immediately began to press back the Welsh wideman, in this case Jazz Richards, in a way his captain hadn't been able to. A livewire with the ball at his feet and with a devil of a long throw, Coleman's absence could be the making of him at international level.

Aiden McGeady: 7

Introduced in place of Meyler for the final ten minutes as O'Neill sought to break down the stubborn Welsh defence, he showed perhaps why he should have been brought in earlier as, suddenly, all of the play went through the on-loan Preston North End winger. Stood up some good crosses into a packed box, but equally was guilty of a few wasteful touches.