Ronnie Whelan’s bonkers choice for man of the match baffled a hell of lot of people

It wasn't even a mistake.

Darren Randolph is a good guy and he has served Ireland well from October right through 'til the last week of June. But, on Monday night, he was not the best player in Belgrade. He wasn't even the best player on his goal line. Ireland drew 2-2 with Serbia in their World Cup qualifying opener but despite the home side's dominance, O'Neill's men were not kept in it by their 'keeper. They were kept in it in spite of their 'keeper. No matter what RTÉ's co-commentator thought. https://twitter.com/lita_curran/status/772906287201972226 Serbia missed a bagful of chances - most of which were gifted to them by big Darren - and the player ratings in the aftermath of the game read like this:

Darren Randolph 3 Flapped at a ball that rebounded into the air and it had to be cleared off the line. Made a good save in the first half but was lucky that it wasn't put away at the second time of asking and he got fortunate again after the break with a dangerous parry right into a Serbian's foot before an attempted catch in his chest bounced off him and Serbia hit the crossbar. Keiren Westwood won't be too disheartened.

It was just an awful night for the Bray man between the sticks in dire conditions. It happens. But, whilst there might not have been a massive pool to choose from, Ronnie Whelan thought Randolph's shift deserved a man of the match trophy. Uncomfortable viewing followed as Tony O'Donoghue was forced to ask Darren Randolph about his man of the match performance. And Darren Randolph was forced to talk about his man of the match performance. Meanwhile, he was holding a man of the match vase to mark his man of the match shift and it was all just bonkers. https://youtu.be/RdzE_0NHrMw Thankfully, someone in RTÉ had the good nature to intervene and just cut the interview and put Tony, Darren himself and all the viewers at home out of their awkward misery. https://twitter.com/ConanDoherty/status/772904471181524992 But it didn't make anyone feel any better about what they had just witnessed. https://twitter.com/fentonjames16/status/772904755328876544 https://twitter.com/Brianzy24/status/772904239278485505 Whelan claimed the 'keeper made one mistake all night. Not everyone agreed. https://twitter.com/SecondCaptains/status/772895797453160448 Not everyone was as diplomatic either. https://twitter.com/keeffe_noel/status/772904871712391168 He didn't ask for man of the match in fairness. https://twitter.com/laherne95/status/772904394375462914 The calls have begun. https://twitter.com/brianmcd87/status/772896673483939840 Perhaps more important calls need to be made in the studio though. https://twitter.com/carhiretrawler/status/772896885501784064 The GAA Hour hurling podcast is here and it is a Tipperary special. Subscribe here on iTunes or listen on Soundcloud (if you want to).