While Ireland would manage to keep their World Cup hopes alive with a 2-2 draw against Hungary on Saturday night, quite a few questions will be asked about the team’s performance in the first half of the game.

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side would find themselves 2-0 down after 15 minutes, conceding two incredibly cheap goals. They were also fortunate not to be even further behind before the interval, with the Hungarians missing a couple of excellent chances.

They would manager to overturn that deficit after the interval, a task that was aided by Roland Sallai’s red card in the 52nd minute. Despite this, a bit improvement will be needed over the remainder of the campaign if IReland are to achieve their goal of a top-two finish in the group.

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Kerr Had Scathing Take On Decision To Start Ireland Man Vs Hungary

A number of Ireland players would stood up to be counted in the second half of the game, but it’s fair to say that many of their teammates did not have their finest night in a green jersey.

Matt Doherty, in particular, seemed to struggle. Playing at left back, he was largely at fault for the opening goal of the game, before cheaply conceding the corner that resulted in the second. He would struggle to deal the Hungarian attack throughout the game before being substituted early in the second half.

Speaking on Virgin Media, Brian Kerr said that the decision to select Doherty in an unfamiliar left back role was a big error from Heimir Hallgrimsson.

“I don’t know why he picked Matt Doherty last night to play left back.”

Brian Kerr and Damien Delaney discuss the performance last night and the issues in defence. pic.twitter.com/224e5vefYn

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 7, 2025

I don’t know why he picked Matt Doherty last night to play left back. I certainly wouldn’t have played him.

He showed a lack of urgency, right from the off…

Doherty heads the ball back into the middle where he should never head it, then he doesn’t get out quick enough (for the first goal).

There’s always a lack of urgency in his game that frustrates me and has frustrated me for years…

Matt Doherty is a grand lad and has done a decent job for us at times on the right side, I wouldn’t have played him on the left side last night.

That was a selection issue [Hallgrimsson] got wrong.

It remains to be seen if Matt Doherty will be included in the team for tomorrow’s game against Armenia, with the likes of Ryan Manning and Liam Scales likely to be considered at left back. Jake O’Brien looks nailed on to start at right back after a strong performance against Hungary.

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