Ireland ratings
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Shay Given 6
Was left stranded for both goals although the perfectionist in the man making his 91st appearance for his country might cause him to over-analyse his defence on the second strike.
Paul McShane 5
Saved O'Shea's blushes with a crucial intervention in the 26th minute and a crunching tackle launched Duff's third assault on goal. Marauded more than Trapattoni seemingly allows; covered defensive holes well on Polish counter-attacks.
Richard Dunne 5
Could be forgiven for letting his mind wander. Did lose concentration when committing a howler before half-time, but his superb pace and precisely timed left-footed tackle saved further embarrassment.
John O'Shea 4
Shared culpability as senior defender for the opening goal -- even if Folan was chief culprit -- particularly since he also conceded a needless free-kick which presaged the opener. Not as dominant as heretofore.
Kevin Kilbane 4
Appalling distribution in the air and on the deck heightened the pressure on a team struggling to retain possession. Backed off Lewandowski when the Polish goalscorer again threatened a set-piece score.
Andy Keogh 5
Did some decent work down the right in the opening half-hour, linking in well in the staccato attempts of the mis-firing Irish system's occasional attacking forays. Struggled visibly when switched with Duff.
Glenn Whelan 4
With the recession causing so many redundancies, Whelan joined their number with an anonymous display in the midfield engine room which made Irish supporters pine for the creativity of one, or both, absent midfield cause celebres.
Darron Gibson 3
After starting well before fading miserably the last time, Gibson showed decent versatility in reversing the trend on this occasion as he began proceedings promisingly before becoming, imperceptibly, invisible. A symbol of systems-led folly.
Damien Duff 6
With evidence of Duff goals on Tyneside as rare as a Newcastle supporter with a grasp of reality, three glorious chances that went begging in the first-half illustrated his struggles in front of goal.
Caleb Folan 8
Perhaps the only real positive on an evening where Trapattoni's cherished ideals were shattered to smithereens. Strength in the air, deftness on the floor and an intelligent awareness of team-mates added up to a fine effort.
Kevin Doyle 7
Struggled manfully up front and displayed the continuing evidence of comfort at this level, some deft touches and enigmatic footwork creating Duff's second opening. Will be disappointed with weak left-foot effort.
Subs
Alex Bruce (for McShane 60) 6
Replaced O'Shea in the middle he slotted in at McShane's previous posting. In truth, he did little to decelerate the alarm in defence. Wasted headed chance.
Stephen Hunt (for Keogh 60) 5
Proceeded to achieve an awful lot of mileage in direct disproportion to the amount of quality produced. Finished well from the spot.
Noel Hunt (for Doyle 60) 4
He was unfairly thrown in to what was increasingly becoming a ramshackle display. Could have seen red for stupid late tackle.
Shane Long (for Duff) 5
Struggled to make an impact but at least earned a late penalty.
Keith Andrews (for Gibson) 5
Would have struggled to make as little impact as the man he succeeded in a midfield morass; fine late strike did his future prospects no harm.
