SOCCER ANALYST:THE ONLY value of this fixture was to learn something about our squad and hope certain players made it difficult for Giovanni Trapattoni to pick a starting XI when we return to competitive action.

On that premise, it was a decent night.

Three players were given, and duly took, their opportunity: Shane Long, Keith Fahey and Greg Cunningham.

Long is now a viable alternative if Kevin Doyle or Robbie Keane is unavailable.

Fahey is growing into a valuable playmaker who can fit into the rigid system Giovanni Trapattoni will continue to employ.

Cunningham looks a serious prospect, following a long line of quality fullbacks produced by the Republic of Ireland down through the years.

He should quickly forget about being nut-megged on the halfway line in the lead-up to the winning goal.

His positioning was otherwise solid, distribution unfussy and, invariably, he takes the correct option, making him a genuine contender to feature in the qualifiers.

Kevin Kilbane’s experience might hold him off in the short term, but we have few worries at left-back.

I understand the argument for Trapattoni giving senior players game time when their clubs are not selecting them, but I couldn’t help looking at the subs bench and wishing we saw more of them.

Maybe there was a method to the selection in that an experienced head was paired with a younger guy – John O’Shea and Darren O’Dea as the centre backs; Cunningham learning to back up Damien Duff as he harassed the Norwegian fullback; Long and Kevin Doyle combining as a powerful strike force.

It was also beneficial to see Duff back in a green shirt, more enthusiastic than ever. In the opening few minutes alone, he proved his continued value ahead of Aiden McGeady up, and down, the left wing.

Never mind Duff’s constant menace on the ball or even the quality of his delivery, which McGeady could learn plenty from, but the real lesson was his body shape and positioning when Norway attacked.

Duff had to learn the nuances of becoming an effective defensive midfielder, and so must McGeady.

Keith Treacy has big boots to fill if he ever does get an opportunity on the wing.

As it stands with wide players, a fit Duff must always start, with Stephen Hunt’s defensive abilities possibly shading Liam Lawrence and McGeady. Not an easy call though.

Shay Given, O’Shea and Glenn Whelan presumably got some valuable match fitness, and sharpness in Shay’s case.

But I’m still struggling with the decision to start Kevin Doyle. He must be shattered having been an ever-present and lone striker for Wolves this season.

More importantly, we need to learn more about Jon Walters.

I already know he is aggressive and quick, but the second half didn’t tell us much. Not enough quality ball was sent into the box for him to make a real statement. Still, he showed the necessary appetite.

Long was smart in winning the early penalty off Brede Hangeland, who was all over him, as he stealthily grabbed a hold of the Fulham player’s hand.

O’Shea deserves credit for the weight of the pass to send Long running in on goal. Nicely taken penalty too.

The fear was we would stop passing the ball after such a good start. True to form, we went into our shell after 20 minutes.

Our intensity dropped as our shape went deeper and deeper, negating the whole point of Doyle playing in behind Long. Regardless, the work rate of both strikers would make any coach happy.

We seemed to get too used to the friendly atmosphere and, right on cue, we got punished. I wasn’t overly distraught by Morten Gamst Pedersen’s nicely struck free kick, as it forced more urgency out of the team.

Like all recent opponents, the Norwegians targeted our central midfielders. They lined up with three flat across the middle, but after Fahey got plenty of early possession they pushed up on both him and Whelan, while Henning Hauger sat back in a holding role.

It took them about 15 minutes to figure out the Irish system, adapt and take control for the remainder of the first half.

It didn’t help that O’Dea was struggling at the back: a sloppy header and poor positioning would have been punished by a sharper attack. Maybe he hurt his hamstring.

Kevin Foley eventually came in with Stephen Kelly switching to centre back. Foley seems a better option at right-back as my preference is for O’Shea to remain at centre-back alongside Richard Dunne.

Other report cards?

The best aspect of Fahey’s game is his ability to keep hold of the ball. Some players have it, some don’t. If it is not on, Keith has the poise to calm matters down.

However, if he sees an opportunity he also has the range of passing to open it up. A good example was a skidding ball down the left for Walters to chase. It came to nothing, but it meant the opposition were thinking more about us than we were about them.

Last night we saw a footballer in Fahey alongside a ball-winner in Whelan. Keith also did a decent job sweeping up second balls.

I hope Trapattoni persists with the pair. We need someone who can pass the ball if we are to hurt even the mediocre nations.

No announcement of the attendance. They were quick to give it for the FAI Cup final last Sunday, but not last night.

Strange that.