Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Walters relieved by earlier strike
JONATHAN Walters went from the sublime to the ridiculous as the Republic of Ireland secured a moraleboosting 3-1 friendly victory over Uruguay.
The Stoke striker fired home a superb 28th-minute opener but was then guilty of a glaring miss from just three yards when he guided Robbie Brady’s volleyed cross on to the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Walters said with a smile: “Don’t worry about that, I’ll beat myself up about that more than anybody else. Look, I’ m there to miss them, I’m there to put them in. I’m just glad I got the one before.”
The one before was a much more assured finish, with Walters accepting Glenn Whelan’s pass before shifting the ball on to his right foot and thumping it past the keeper.
Manager Martin O’Neill said:“You would’ve thought it might have been the other way around. It was a great goal. I’m delighted for Jon.
“Then it hits the bar. How close was he? He’s not the only one that’s missed from that distance. He won’t be the last one either.”
Defender Jose Gimenez levelled before the break after making the most of keeper Darren Randolph’s error but Ireland were not to be denied.
Full-back Cyrus Christie’s second international goal restored the lead within six minutes of t he restar t before substitute James McClean wrapped up the win with a well-taken third 13 minutes from time.
Asked what he was thinking as he scored, Wa l t e r s s a i d : “I w a s thinking, ‘I’ve scored a goal, great finish!’.”