GOOD STUFF

A Win is a Win
The decision to start eight regular internationals helped Ireland gain their first victory in six internationals (The result after 90 minutes in Paris doesn’t count as a win in FIFA’s eyes). Irrespective of how good or bad the opposition were the fact Ireland are back on the winning trail ahead of the beginning of qualification for Euro 2012 in September is crucial.

Winning is a good habit to get into and Trapattoni was rewarded for starting with a strong line up. Two early goals from Doyle and Lawrence laid the foundation for a morale boosting victory which will hopefully continue into Friday's scheduled friendly with another World Cup qualifier; Algeria.

Kevin Doyle
Led the line superbly all night, took his goal bravely and setup Liam Lawrence’s winner. There is little doubt Doyle is still very much in the shop window ahead of next season's Premier League and his determined performance merely reiterated the fact the current Wolves front man should be playing for a club with European ambitions next season.

Doyle is at his best getting on the end of crosses but has now become equally adept with his back to goal. Holding up the play, linking with his central midfielders and bringing Duff and Lawrence into the game makes Kevin Doyle the new lynchpin of the Irish attack.
New Caps

Kieran Westwood had little to do all night and was unsighted for Paraguay's goal but can be happy with his night's work. His full-length save in first half injury time was excellent considering he hadn't been properly tested before that.

I was particularly delighted to see Keith Fahey get a run because his consistent performances for Birmingham during the 2009-10 campaign merited an earlier call up before his second half introduction last night. Fahey contributed in the short time he was on the field but is the best midfield option Trapattoni has outside of his regular starters.

Derby County's Paul Green was composed whenever he got on the ball and didn't look out of place when introduced. Green has the ability to develop into another useful squad player over the coming campaign. Cillian Sheridan came on for Robbie Keane and while still a little rough around the edges the young striker showed glimpses of his talent with a couple of flick-ons and some determined running which bodes well for the future.

BAD STUFF

Un-inspiring Opposition
Paraguay is a country about to compete in the World Cup yet you would never have thought it from the opening 45 minutes. The South Americans have been drawn in the same group as Italy, New Zealand and Slovakia but will be on the first plane home if they cannot raise their standards above what was produced for much of the friendly in the RDS last night.

The South Americans demonstrated little or no creativity until managing to score midway through the second half following some amateur Irish defending. It was only when they fell 2-0 behind that Paraguay began to knock the ball around with any sense of urgency or authority.

Granted last night was just a warm-up game but such an un-inspiring performance against a side who failed to qualify does little to suggest they will make any sort of impact in South Africa.
Defensive Frailties

Paraguay were granted only one shot on target all night and scored from it. The lack of urgency from Paul McShane and Sean St. Ledger in closing down the Paraguayan attack for the visitors’ goal showed a worrying lack of concentration.

Such lapses cost Ireland dearly in Paris not so long ago. What Barrios' untidy goal demonstrated is that Ireland can ill afford to lose Richard Dunne for too many games during the upcoming European campaign.  St. Ledger has developed into a fine – if somewhat limited - centre-back under Trapattoni’s tutelage but he looks ill at ease without Dunne next to him in the heart of the Irish defence.
Stephen Kelly produced some important tackles in the second half

The RDS
With the New Landsdowne Road stadium nearing completion and the GAA season in full swing rendering Croke Park unusable the RDS was the venue chosen for last night's encounter. Irish fans should be glad such a facility was available for the friendly but an area (pitch) regularly used for horse jumping seemed very heavy and the sight of a half- empty stand facing the TV cameras looked plain ugly.
I'm nit-picking here as the atmosphere came across as quite good but is there no other facility in the country - God forbid outside the Pale - that could have held this international? Thomond Park in Limerick maybe, nah, suppose not.

FINALLY

A welcome result, decent first half performance, the introduction of four new caps, two well worked goals and some eye-catching individual displays (Doyle, Duff and Lawrence) made it a useful night's work for the Republic. Algeria provides the next friendly challenge on Friday night before Argentina visit the Aviva.
The Republic of Ireland currently looks in decent shape ahead of the beginning of European Championship qualification in September.