Probably just better to swap Modric and Ireland in that situation, Modric seems more comfortable behind the strikers and Ireland coming from the middle.
Pretty sure he would've saved it. The bump from the defender could probably allow the goal to stand, didn't think about that. Kind of an odd play, don't think many refs would've let it go.
If anyone of you are still up over there I recommend you watch the US/Brazil game going on right now. We've played them twice in the last few years and the games have been incredibly open, looking that way again.