Ireland legend reacts to biggest revelation to emerge from Aviva ...
Finn Azaz prompted his most straightforward yet best input of the night
WATCHING Ireland is often stress-inducing so having a commentary team that improve the overall experience is vital.
And unfortunately, Tuesday night's friendly fit perfectly into both categories.
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Having been comprehensively outplayed in the first half, The Boys In Green mounted their customary late surge while searching for an equaliser.
There were genuine moments of quality to feel upbeat about despite that home goal never coming.
And the Virgin Media commentary team struck the right balance in professionally analysing how the match-up evolved while also injecting enthusiasm when Ireland went close.
Gary Breen showcased himself to be excellent at fulfilling the role to what was likely the biggest audience he's ever commentated in front of.
He's long been a regular voice on Newstalk's Off the Ball as well as Premier Sports.
But the giant free-to-air platform provided by Virgin would have ensured far more people were exposed to his brand of co-commentary.
The highlight came when he spoke for everyone watching as debutant Finn Azaz neglected to shoot with his first touch of the ball as it broke to him on the edge of the box.
There was a beautiful simplicity in him exclaiming 'Hit it! Hiiiiit iiiittttt!!'
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The sheer passion and enjoyment he showed for football was a welcome respite from several leading Irish commentators.
They often get bogged down in trying to be too smart in their constant put-downs of players when they make an error.
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While you're never going to please everyone, the reviews for him on social media were broadly positive.
Diarmuid tweeted: "Breath of fresh air listening to both he and Dave McIntyre."
While Phil remarked of his reaction to Azaz' hesitation: "I noticed that. He’s a real fan. It’s what I shout at times."
Finally, Tim cracked the inevitable gag: "We all dream of a commentary team of Gary Breens."
His former teammate Kevin Kilbane - another man who was always good for adding to a Virgin Media broadcast - was equally entranced.
He posted: "Loving Breeny’s pure excitement on co-comms!"
