Sides of the border fail to break the deadlock
Since the decision was made a year ago to leave him behind, none of the emerging midfielders have grasped the opportunity to become a mainstay.
So the likes of Conor Hourihane, who replaced him here, need to maximise every chance they get to catch the eye after a string of disappointing efforts up to now.
Alas, Hourihane didn’t to nail this audition either and nor did Darragh Lenihan in defence after some costly errors of judgement.
The porous nature of Ireland’s core was on ongoing concern and opponents with a sharper eye for goal would have made them pay time and again.
Once again, O’neill’s team found it difficult to get motoring at home and Northern Ireland played through them.
The visitors were comfortably the better team and would have taken the lead after 14 minutes but for the first of Randolph’s interventions, thwart Gavin Whyte this time.
It is a sad reflection of Ireland’s struggles up front that big centre half Shane Duffy is so often the team’s most potent threat.
And he was close to scoring midway through the half but packed too much punch into his downward header and it zipped up and over the crossbar. It stemmed from a Robbie Brady free-kick and the Burnley man ( far left) – making his first Irish appearance in a year after serious injury – did threaten from dead balls. O’neill has repeatedly stressed that Ireland will rediscover their mojo with the return from injury of key men like Brady.
And here’s hoping the memory-maker of two years ago is the spark to shake this team into life once this grim year runs its course.
Ronan Curtis, on his debut, tried to inject some Slavko Vincic (Slovenia) Attendance 31,241 life having been introduced for the second-half. The former Derry City man chased every lost cause.
But Maguire’s enforced withdrawal was cruel on a player you sense may have something about him at this level - if only he could stay right.
So the search for light at the end of the tunnel moves on to Aarhus on Monday.
But by then, relegation to the Nations League third tier as well as third seed status for the Euros draw itself will be confirmed if Wales beat the Danes in Cardiff later on this evening.
Linked up well with the raiding Jamal Lewis and forced a first half save from Republic hero Randolph.
L BOYCE
Took an early blow to the head that drew blood but almost forced home the opening goal in the second half.