Football
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Seamus Coleman: Martin O'Neill's 'rollicking' at half-time inspired Ireland

Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman revealed manager Martin O'Neill gave his team a half-time "rollicking" that inspired them to a 1-0 win at home to Georgia.

The visitors had the better of the first period, but after O'Neill's impassioned interval team-talk Coleman scored from close range in the 56th minute to earn victory in the World Cup qualifier in Dublin.

Coleman told Sky Sports: "In the first half we weren't good enough and we were lucky to go in 0-0 at half-time.

"It's all about three points but we know the performance wasn't good enough, but we're happy to come out of it with three points.

"The manager just gave us a rollicking and said 'nowhere near good enough.'

"We came out second half, played slightly better, scored the goal, defended better. I thought man of the match was our keeper [Darren Randolph]. Shane Duffy was immense. He was unbelievable at the back, won everything in the air."

On scoring his first international goal, Coleman added: "It's a special feeling that to score for your country. It's an amazing feeling, growing up as a kid you want to play for Ireland."

O'Neill was reluctant to admit that he had given his players a strong telling off.

On Coleman's version of events, he said: "The players have a great desire to do well. When it's not going so well you need to re-energise. You need something to get a spark again in the second half. If that's what he's talking about, that's fine. The players got themselves going in the second half. Obviously I'm delighted with the three points."

O'Neill praised Coleman's adventurous run down the right flank that put him in position to score.

"They had miles the better of the first half. We came into it in the second half. We pressed them better. We were actually getting some second balls which we didn't get in the first half and Seamus Coleman comes up with a wonder run and a goal as captain of the side," the manager added.

One of the few negatives for Ireland was Robbie Brady being carried from the field on a stretcher, and wearing an oxygen mask following a sickening clash of heads with Georgia defender Solomon Kverkvelia.

Reports said Brady was conscious and talking after the game when he was set to go for a scan.

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