Jeff Hendrick handed Mick McCarthy a winning start to his second spell in charge as the Republic of Ireland launched their Euro 2020 campaign with a narrow victory in Gibraltar.
Hendrick's first international goal since September 2016 ultimately settled a tight encounter fought out on a plastic pitch in swirling winds at the Victoria Stadium in front of the man who famously took the nation to the 2002 World Cup finals.
It was far from pretty on a night when Ireland dominated possession against a team comprised largely of part-time footballers, but created few clear-cut chances.
However, they left having banked three Group D points, the minimum requirement heading into Tuesday night's clash with fast-improving Georgia at the Aviva Stadium.
The lack of inspiration which plagued the latter days of Martin O'Neill's reign remains an issue, and although the difficult conditions had a part to play, McCarthy knows it is a failing which must be addressed if his team are to qualify for the finals.
Post-match reaction
Striker McGoldrick told Sky Sports: "They were tough conditions but the main thing was to get the three points. We should have done better. We had some chances."
Of Hendrick's goal, he added: "We wanted to get in behind them and we did. We've been working on the midfielders getting into the box and it's a great run from Jeff."
Opta facts
- Ireland have now won each of their three meetings with Gibraltar by an aggregate score of 12-0, with all three coming in European Championship qualifiers.
- This was Ireland’s first win away from home in any competition since they beat Wales 1-0 in October 2017.
- Jeff Hendrick's strike ended a drought of 446 minutes without a goal in all competitions for Ireland since Aiden O'Brien scored against Poland in September 2018.
- Mick McCarthy has now won his first competitive match in charge of Ireland in both of his spells with the national side, having beaten Liechtenstein 5-0 in the first such match of his first stint in August 1996.
- Gibraltar have lost three consecutive games in all competitions after having only lost two of the five prior to this (W3).
- Jeff Hendrick became the first Irish player to score for the national side under Mick McCarthy since Clinton Morrison netted against Russia in September 2002, 16 years and 197 days ago.
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