The Republic of Ireland have capitalised on Scotland's 1-0 defeat in Georgia by beating Gibraltar 4-0 away to move third in Group D for Euro 2016 qualifying.

Cyrus Christie got the rout underway in the first half, before two more from Robbie Keane early in the second period effectively confirmed the three points.

However, Shane Long headed home a fourth in the final quarter to put gloss on the win and reinvigorate their qualification bid.

Here, Sports Mole sorts the heroes from the villains in Faro, Portugal.

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Goal

Jordan Perez: Jekyll and Hyde from the keeper, who produced some fine moments and some shambolic ones. (5/10)

Defence

Jean Carlos Garcia: Struggled big time with Hoolahan and Brady down the left-hand side of attack, and failed to get forward much as a result. (5/10)

Roy Chipolina : Captain in name only as his defensive teammates were crying out for organisation from set pieces. (4/10)

John Sergeant: Unlucky not to score after his excellent second-half run was halted by Brady. Okay other than that. (5/10)

Joseph Chipolina: Comfortably Gibraltar's best defender on the night. At times, he looked like the only one who knew his job. (6/10)

Midfield

Erin Barnett: Very sloppy in both halves and failed to track the run of Long en route to the fourth goal. (4/10)

Liam Walker: Gibraltar's one and only goalscoring threat after stinging the gloves of Given in the first half, but he also conceded the penalty with a silly foul on Hoolahan. (5/10)

Anthony Bardon: Blended into the midfield mess rather than trying do something about it. (4/10)

Kyle Casciaro: Struggled with the tempo throughout. (4/10)

Attack

Lee Casciaro: As the scorer of Gibraltar's only competitive goal, he never looked like replicating his heroics from Glasgow tonight. (4/10)

John Paul Duarte: Completely anonymous throughout the contest, although did lack service from the wide areas. (3/10)

Substitutes

Jake Gosling: One of the few professionals in the squad, but he did not look it despite having some 30 minutes to have an impact. (4/10)

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

Goal

Shay Given: Pulled off one or two good saves but none of Gibraltar's attempts was ever going to beat a goalkeeper of Given's experience. (6/10)

Defence

Cyrus Christie: Opened the scoring with an excellent goal and ventured forward brilliantly throughout the clash. (7/10)

John O'Shea: Defended well but should have scored a fifth when Brady's corner came off his shoulder rather than his head. (6/10)

Ciaran Clark: Unlucky not to score when heading against the bar, but fortunate to come out with a clean sheet after slack defending from him let Sergeant run through late on. (5/10)

Robbie Brady: Ireland's go-to-guy in the creativity stakes by supplying fine cross after fine cross. Also produced a superb last-ditch tackle to spare Clark's blushes. (8/10)

Midfield

Jeff Hendrick: Got an assist for the fourth for what was a nice reward for an energetic performance. (6/10)

Glenn Whelan: Was unable to be as combative as usual due to the fact that another yellow card would have earned him a suspension, but did well nonetheless. (6/10)

James McCarthy: Should have scored on two occasions but fluffed his lines both times. Like Whelan, was also walking a disciplinary tightrope. (6/10)

Wes Hoolahan: Dovetailed well with Brady on the left but, despite some promising moments, did not enhance his reputation much. Did well to win the penalty, however. (5/10)

Attack

Robbie Keane: Another brace for the legendary hitman, but he could have had four on another night. (7/10)

Jon Walters: Spurned two glorious opportunities, as well as scoring a disallowed goal that he perhaps should not have been offside for. He made the second goal, however. (6/10)

Substitutes

Shane Long: Added a fourth with an excellent header on 79 minutes. Might have had more on another night but his teammates failed to spot his excellent runs. (7/10)

Written by
Shane Callaghan