The player ratings after a goalless draw in the Aviva Stadium.
Caoimhin Kelleher - 6
A solid showing from the goalkeeper despite having very little to do over the course of the game.
The Cork native often had to sit back as Ireland tried passing their way into space at the other end. The Brentford shot-stopper was called into action to get to a deflected Enis Bardhi free-kick in the 21st minute, and that was his only major involvement.
Kelleher left the pitch in the 61st minute with only one real moment on the pitch.
Seamus Coleman – 9
The 37-year-old played 96 minutes in Prague last Thursday and he issued another reminder of his abilities on Tuesday with a near perfect performance at wing-back.
Coleman dominated the right side, as he got forward and retreated when needed as Ireland switched from a 3-4-2-1 to a 5-2-2-1 out of possession.
The full-back was excellent, in everything that he did, to the point where he almost set up the opening goal at the start of the second half by working with Finn Azaz to release Troy Parrott.
The striker hit the post and Coleman was replaced by James Abankwah shortly after, after giving it his all once again.
John Egan – 6
The defender returned to the team, taking the place of Jake O'Brien in the back three favoured by Heimir Hallgrímsson.
This was Egan’s first appearance in a green jersey since a 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands in September 2023, and he slotted into the defence alongside Nathan Collins and Dara O’Shea.
The right sided centre back was also quick to move forward and go into midfield as Ireland looked to boost numbers in a bid to keep possession.
Egan did everything he was asked to do, he was just unable to show his full defensive attributes on a night where the ball was almost always at the feet of a player wearing a green jersey.
Nathan Collins – 6
The Leixlip man wore the captain’s armband against a North Macedonia side that rarely threatened over the course of the 90.
There was an attempt from a free-kick and a counter attack late on, and those were dealt with by Kelleher and Jason Knight.
Collins did what he was asked to do when needed, with a few defensive headers early on as the visitors went through spells in possession.
The captain was given very little to do, while he went forward to boost numbers in midfield so Ireland could keep the ball.
Dara O’Shea – 7
If each member of the backline has their own specific job, Dara O’Shea has mastered his role of being the defender able to pick-out a pass.
This was on show for all to see last November as he helped set up Parrott for the second goal against Portugal last November at the Aviva Stadium.
O’Shea only played one pass like it on Tuesday, while the rest of his game was dominated by neat interactions with those around him. It worked as Ireland kept the ball and kept North Macedonia deep inside their own half.
Liam Scales – 6
Ireland often attacked the right flank, which often left Liam Scales isolated on the opposite wing.
The defender was back in the side after missing Thursday’s game with Czechia through suspension, and he immediately settled back into life in a green jersey.
Scales was able to get forward and track back, there was also a shot that was blocked down in the 63rd minute. If consistency is needed in his position, that’s what underlined by the defender’s showing in Dublin.
Jason Knight – 8
Back in the side and eager to prove a point, Knight delivered a stellar performance against North Macedonia.
The Dubliner did the thankless job of the running and breaking up play, as Ireland looked to keep possession.
Knight’s moment came in added time after North Macedonia broke from a free-kick, as he was able to run back and get the ball back as the visitors looked to score a winner at the death.
Jayson Molumby – 7
The midfielder played alongside Knight, and that was the engine that drove Ireland on against North Macedonia.
They worked in tandem to pass and keep the ball moving, as Ireland look to contain the visitors before quick transitions into wide areas.
Molumby’s role involved a lot of small jobs, and each one paid off as North Macedonia struggled to get a foothold in possession.
Knight stole the show with his heroics at the end, but nothing would be possible without his partner in the centre.
Chiedozie Ogbene - 8
The winger picked up where he left off in Prague with an energetic display on the right that helped Ireland click in attack.
The Cork native pestered the North Macedonian defence and his reward came from two corners won inside the first half-hour.
A huge part of this was his chemistry and relationship with Coleman, as the they worked in tandem on the right wing, and this was often the catalyst for Ireland going forward.
Ogbene became a repeat source of frustration for North Macedonia, but there was no goal or moment to round off his service.
Finn Azaz – 7
After experiencing the disappointment of a missed penalty in Prague, Azaz picked himself up and took on the role of the creator behind Troy Parrott and Chiedozie Ogbene.
The midfielder was also in charge of set-pieces, and he saw a free-kick go just over the bar in the 27th minute.
Azaz picked up where he left off by keeping possession and working with Seamus Coleman to create an opening for Troy Parrott in the 52nd minute.
Troy Parrott – 8
The striker entered this game aiming to score in his fourth consecutive game, after tallying six in since the November international window.
Parrott poked and probed the North Macedonia defence and got into a number of positions in the first half, beginning with a tame header that went straight into the hands of Stole Dimitrievski.
The striker did manage to hit the back of the net in the dying seconds before the break, only to see his effort ruled out over an offside.
There was no goal, but the effort was there from the very minute the game kicked off.
Substitutes:
Harvey Vale - 6
A small cameo from the new recruit that plies his trade with Queen’s Park Rangers. Vale was energetic and aggressive on the ball, despite not having a moment to announce his name to the masses.
Mark Travers - 5
The goalkeeper had nothing to do as Ireland kept procession. Even when North Macedonia broke, Knight dealt with that as opposed to the shot-stopper that plays his club football with Everton.
Mohammad Lawal - 6
A brief moment in a green jersey for a player lining out for Stoke City in the EFL Championship. A name for the future, in a team that is slowly coming together.
James Abankwah - 6
The defender came on and had to leave over an injury sustained late in the second half. His emotion when being replaced told its own story, as someone who wants to make a statement. Time will come for the former St. Patrick’s Athletic player.
Jake O’Brien - 6
The defender slotted in and immediately looked like he had been playing there all night, a sign of how comfortable he is playing in this system for Ireland.
O’Brien had a quiet night after he replaced Egan, a familiar story for the Irish backline against North Macedonia.
Adam Idah - 6
The striker arrived onto the pitch and managed to create a handful of chances, including a header at the back post.
Nothing landed for the Cork native. He still managed to state his claim as being the partner to Parrott, with his height and natural ability to get underneath the ball.
Alan Browne - 5
A late introduction for an injured Abankwah. The midfielder was able to get stuck in and win a free-kick that was taken by Knight in the first minute of time added on. Browne has a small role, as he gave a small demonstration of his ability to hold the ball in the middle of the park.
Johnny Kenny - 6
The strike came on and tried his best, he was just unable to take to test the North Macedonia goalkeeper. There’s raw, energetic, potential there and it was there to see on Tuesday evening.
