author
John TownleyLive reporter

What's next for Ireland?

Ireland need four points from their their next two Group D games to ensure qualification for EURO 2020.

 

Geneva awaits in a top two clash against Switzerland before hosting Denmark at The Aviva next month. A friendly against New Zealand will be played in between the two crucial games.

12 October 2019 4:19 PM BST
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John TownleyLive reporter

Man of the Match

With six clean sheets in Ireland's last nine in all international competitions, John Egan has been a centrepiece and mainstay in the Irish backline. He was composed and mature in his defending in Tbilisi. Unlucky not to get a goal himself in the opening stages of the game, Egan will look to cement his position in Mick McCarthy's side before a potential European Championship campaign next year.

12 October 2019 4:05 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

Hardly a classic

It's a small step closer to EURO 2020 qualification for Ireland. They're now four points away from the Championships.

Performance aside, Mick McCarthy will be pleased with the organisation and attitude of his players which extends his unbeaten start as Irish boss to eight games.

12 October 2019 3:57 PM BST
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John TownleyLive reporter

0-0 Full Time

It's all over in Tbilisi. Another point on the road for Ireland.

12 October 2019 3:53 PM BST
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John TownleyLive reporter

Substitution

93' Derrick Williams replaces Conor Hourihane for Ireland.

12 October 2019 3:51 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

92' A late chance for Connolly! The Brighton forward races onto Glenn Whelan's clearance but fires into eh side netting under pressure from the retreating Georgia defenders. He's certainly made an impression.

12 October 2019 3:50 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

90' Additional time of four minutes.

12 October 2019 3:49 PM BST
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John TownleyLive reporter

90' Connolly pounces on Kashia's loose touch inside the box but his strike on goal was easily gathered by Loria.

12 October 2019 3:49 PM BST
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John TownleyLive reporter

Substitution

89' Aburjania replaces Kit'eishvili for Georgia.

12 October 2019 3:47 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

87' Gia Grigalava booked for a cynical block on Hourihane to prevent a counter attack.

12 October 2019 3:45 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

84' James McClean blasts Conor Hourihane for his misplaces pass on the left wing. Frustration creeping in for the boys in green.

12 October 2019 3:42 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

82' Hesitation from Seamus Coleman and John Egan at the back presents Lobjanidze with a golden chance but the big striker cuts back inside onto his right side. Duffy thwarts the substitute.

12 October 2019 3:41 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

81' Kit'esishvili's long ranged effort proves Georgia's desperation to open the scoring. His effort flies at least five yards over Randolph's bar.

12 October 2019 3:38 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

Substitution

78' Aaron Connolly replaces James Collins for Ireland. Lobjanidze reaplces Oqriashvili for Georgia.

12 October 2019 3:36 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

75' Hendrick gets a shot off at the back post but his half volley hits the side netting from an acute angle.

12 October 2019 3:33 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

74' Shane Duff's marauding run down the right channel comes to an abrupt end as he passes she ball wayward of the isolated James Collins.

12 October 2019 3:32 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

Substitution

72' Alan Browne replaces Callum Robinson for Ireland.

Shengelia replaces Qvilitaia for Georgia.

12 October 2019 3:31 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

69' Ireland have been stifled all afternoon, though James McClean remains busy hassling the Georgian backline but to little prevail. Three shots is all the away side have to show for their 12 hour trip so far.

12 October 2019 3:29 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

63' The Spartak Moscow playmaker get's it all wrong. Still goalless in Tbilisi.

12 October 2019 3:23 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

63' Ananidze has his feet swept from underneath him as Glenn Whelan mistimes his recovery. A dangerous position to give away a free kick - 14 yards out, left side of Randolph's goal.

12 October 2019 3:23 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

62' McCarthy will be tempted to use his options on the bench as Ireland are being frustrated by a compact Georgia side.

12 October 2019 3:19 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

58' Kakabadze allowed room to run in as James McClean and Matt Doherty blame each other for losing the Georgian right back. Advancing into the box his left footed strike was tame.

12 October 2019 3:17 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

55' Hendrick wins a foul on the right wing but Hourihane's delivery is cleared by Loria with a punch. Matt Doherty at the other end clears the possibility of a dangerous counter attack.

12 October 2019 3:13 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

51' James Collins' naive challenge on Jano Ananidze results in a free kick to Georgia but his cross fails to produce from an indirect angle.

12 October 2019 3:10 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

Confident start

50' Ireland have started the second period as Georgia did the first with intensity and poise.

12 October 2019 3:08 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

49' Doherty picks out McClean on the left flank, but the Stoke City winger fails to return the favour and loses the ball in a promising area.

12 October 2019 3:07 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

47' Oto Kakabadze is off the pitch receiving treatment after falling to the ground in an innocuous fashion.

12 October 2019 3:06 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

46' Loria fails to catch the ball from a McClean's cross, but Hendrick can't convert as the ball didn't quite fall for him. That's hardly going to inspire the Georgian defence.

12 October 2019 3:05 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

Permutations

Two victories Ireland's next three will be enough to qualify for EURO 2020.

12 October 2019 3:03 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

Second half begins

46' Ireland kick off the second period. No changes at the break.

12 October 2019 3:03 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

0-0 Half-time

A half of poor quality from Ireland played into the hands of a technically good Georgian side in search of a much needed win.

John Egan came the closest to breaking the deadlock when he hit the post from a header on the second minute. James McClean could have got his 11th Ireland goal if he anticipated Callum Robinson's teasing delivery.

McCarthy will be happy to go into the interval with his clean sheet intact, with a view of nicking a goal in the second half.

12 October 2019 2:51 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

45' Additional time of 1 minute.

12 October 2019 2:46 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

43' A second corner from Hourihane set up another effort from Egan at the back post, but the referee blows up fro a foul on goalkeeper Giorgi Loria.

12 October 2019 2:46 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

42' Conor Hourihane's corner falls to Glenn Whelan at the far post but he loses the ball to Guram Kashia to allow Georgia to break quickly but the eventual strike from Vako Q'azaishvili drags wide from outside the box.

12 October 2019 2:43 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

Slim pickings

40' Ireland have struggled to get James Collins in the game. Effective on the wings, McClean and Robinson look bright but have had little to work with also.

12 October 2019 2:42 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

37' A goal on the break would've been the perfect way for Ireland to end a first half of limited ball possession.

12 October 2019 2:39 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

34' A brilliant cross from Robinson on the right flank isn't converted but the arriving James McClean at the back post. Ireland's best chance since striking the post early on.

12 October 2019 2:36 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

32' Georgia are getting no joy in aerial duels. Shane Duffy and Egan are getting the better of Qvilitaia and Oqriashvili from every wide delivery.

12 October 2019 2:33 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

30' Ireland's pressure on the Georgian backline has earned the away side a few throw in's and chances to regain possession. Georgia may have to rethink their game plan when playing through the thirds.

12 October 2019 2:32 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

26' Hourihane takes a nasty one to his left foot by kicking the studs of kit'esishvili. The Villa man recovers a minute later.

12 October 2019 2:28 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

24' A rare spell of Irish possession was met with jeers from the home crowd, but Ireland's game plan to take the sting out of this one is working.

12 October 2019 2:26 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

Second best

20' Georgia's players are snapping at the heels of Hendrick and Hourihane to win the ball back. Ireland aren't matching Georgia's intensity so far.

12 October 2019 2:22 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

17' McCarthy's cries of "move the ball!" encourages his team to move forward quickly, but their attack breaks down through a miscommunication between Seamus Coleman and Callum Robinson.

12 October 2019 2:20 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

Bright start from Georgia

16' Despite Ireland coming the closest to breaking the deadlock, Georgia's dominance in Ireland's half will be rewarded if Mick McCarthy's men don't settle down.

12 October 2019 2:17 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

13' Oqriashvili goes over in the box under a soft push from Egan, but the referee turns down Georgia's appeals for a penalty.

12 October 2019 2:14 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

11' Giorgi Qvilitaia lays off for Jano Ananidze after fending off John Egan, but Georgia's number 10 slashes the ball wide from inside the box.

12 October 2019 2:13 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

9' Clever positioning from Glenn Whelan prevents Georgia opening the scoring after probing down the right flank. Oqraishvili pulls the ball back to the edge of the box but the Hearts man clears.

12 October 2019 2:11 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

8' Gia Grigalava goes down under a challenge from Jeff Hendrick but is back up on his feet in no time.

12 October 2019 2:10 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

7' James Collins drops back into a defensive position to earn a deep free kick and ease the pressure off Ireland after Georgia's quick break.

12 October 2019 2:08 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

'5 Two chances at either end show the early intent of both sides to take maximum points from this one.

12 October 2019 2:07 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

Ireland hit the post!

2' A free kick at a favourable angle for Conor Hourihane's left foot floats perfectly onto the head of John Egan but the Sheffield United defender can't convert as his header comes back off the post.

12 October 2019 2:05 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

1' Vako Q'azaaishvili get's the games first shot off after working the ball with Tornike Oqriashvili. It flies well wide of Darren Randolph's goal.

12 October 2019 2:02 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

Kick-Off

We’re underway at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena!

 

Georgia host their Irish counterparts in their home strip of white, whilst Ireland are in their traditional green shirts and socks with white shorts.

 

The travelling Green Army has travelled over 2,500 miles to get to sunny Tbilisi - will their 12 hour journey be rewarded this afternoon?

12 October 2019 2:01 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

15 Minute Countdown

There's a blustery wind in Tbilisi, where it remains humid three hours in front of GMT time. Kick off here is 2pm GMT.

12 October 2019 1:45 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

High Praise for Young Connolly

"Aaron's got a chance, he's trained really well without looking out of place, he's in form."

McCarthy also shared his thoughts on the qualification campaign so far: "when we have the ball I want to be comfortable in possession, coming off the pitch equal in possession. I'm excited by the business end of the campaign, we've done well in big games and let's see how we react to this one."

12 October 2019 1:40 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

Georgia Team News

Georgia: Loria, Kakabadze, Kashia, Grigalava, Tabidze; Kankava, Kiteishvili; Okriashvili, Ananidze, Qazaishvili; Kvilitaia

12 October 2019 1:10 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

Ireland Team News

Ireland: Randolph, Coleman (C), Duffy, Egan, Whelan, Doherty, McClean, Robinson, Hendrick, Hourihane, Collins

 

Mick McCarthy hands James Collins his first start for Ireland, whilst Matt Doherty replaces the suspended Enda Stevens.

12 October 2019 12:58 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

Follow the game Georgia vs Ireland here

Do not miss a detail of the match with the live updates and commentaries of VAVEL. Follow along with us all the details, commentaries, analysis and lineups of Georgia v Ireland .

11 October 2019 5:20 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

Special Memories

The last time Ireland won in Georgia came through a 90th minute winner from the star of the day Aiden McGeady, back in 2013. His skill and craft set up a win on Martin O’Neil and his assistant Roy Keane’s first competitive game.

 

O’Neil guided Ireland to their second Euppean Championships in 28 years after beating Bosnia and Herzegovina in a EURO 2016 two legged qualifying play-off.

11 October 2019 5:18 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

The Form Guide

Ireland are unbeaten in seven, and have won four of their last six. Last time out they beat Bulgaria 3-1 in a friendly after holding Switzerland to a 1-1 draw in a successful first international break of the domestic season.

 

Georgia had won five of their six Nation League games, but have since only registered one win against Gibraltar in their last six in all international competitions. Strong at home, Georgia have only lost once in their last seven in Tbilisi.

 

Ireland have however won their last nine in all competitions against Georgia.

 

11 October 2019 5:17 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

Team News

Ireland will welcome back Shane Duffy after nursing a calf injury he sustained last month, but the  Brighton man has only made four appearances for his club so far this Premier League campaign. A defensive partnership of John Egan and Kevin Long looks set to continue.

 

At the other end, David McGoldrick isn’t available, but manager McCarthy hasn’t ruled out including the Sheffield United striker in the away tie to Switzerland on Tuesday.

11 October 2019 5:15 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

How to Watch

Georgia vs Ireland is live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.

 

Stay here for live updates, interaction and post match match comment.

11 October 2019 5:14 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

Unbeaten Tenure

Mick McCarthy hasn’t lost a game as Ireland boss since taking over last November. Seven games into the job and his Irish side sit top of Group D in EURO 2020 qualification on 11 points, having conceded just two goals in five qualifiers.

 

McCarthy won his first back-to-back games in charge of Ireland against Gibraltar and upcoming opponents Georgia thanks to a spectacular Conor Hourihane free kick in Dublin.

11 October 2019 5:11 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

Kick-off Time

The Georgia vs Ireland match will be played at the in the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena, in Tbilisi, Georgia. The kick-off is scheduled at 14:00 GMT.

11 October 2019 5:09 PM BST
author
John TownleyLive reporter

Welcome

Welcome to VAVEL.com’s LIVE coverage of the match: Georgia vs Ireland.

My name is John Townley and I’ll be your host for this game. We will provide you with pre-game analysis, roster updates, and news as it happens live here on VAVEL.

11 October 2019 5:06 PM BST