Republic of Ireland 2-1 USA
- Published
John O'Shea's international farewell saw the Republic of Ireland come from behind to beat the United States.
Earning his 118th cap, the 37-year-old Sunderland defender was given a rousing send off in Dublin when he was substituted after 33 minutes.
Bobby Wood put the visitors ahead in first-half injury-time but striker Graham Burke turned in debutant Darragh Lenihan's shot to equalise.
And substitute Alan Judge's 91st-minute goal sealed a first win since October.
Martin O'Neill's side were on the back of a three-game losing streak, their most recent being a 2-0 defeat by France in Paris last Monday.
They had only scored six goals in their previous nine previous outings and were frustrated during a tight first half at the Aviva stadium.
Burnley striker Jonathan Walters was off target with a long-range effort while West Brom's James McClean had a fierce shot that US goalkeeper Bill Hamid scurried across goal to beat away.
Then Brighton defender Shane Duffy's header shortly before half time sailed comfortably over the bar to epitomise their struggles in front of goal.
That wastefulness was punished when Hamburg striker Wood struck from close range after Chelsea defender Matt Miazga headed on a free-kick.
The USA had beaten Bolivia 3-0 in their last game and manager Dave Sarachan again fielded a young side; only three players in his starting line-up were born before the 1990 World Cup.
Both teams failed to qualify for this month's World Cup in Russia, but Shamrock Rovers striker Burke gave Ireland a lift when he guided Blackburn defender Lenihan's effort into a net left open by the stranded Hamid.
The energy of Bristol City's Callum O'Dowda and McClean in midfield put the hosts on top, but they looked set for a draw in their first game back in Dublin since their World Cup qualifying campaign ended there with a 5-1 thrashing by Denmark in November.
Then Brentford midfielder Judge replaced O'Dowda and scored with his first touch after McClean put him through on goal.
- Published2 June 2018
- Published25 May 2018
- Published9 May 2018