Ireland and Wales share Nations League spoils
Stephen Kenny is still awaiting his first win as Republic of Ireland manager after his 10man coronavirus-hit side was held to a 0-0 Nations League draw by Wales in Dublin.
Ireland, who lost five more players on the eve of the game as a result of Covid-19 protocols after one unnamed member of the squad had tested positive, once again had chances to win a scruffyencounter atthe Aviva Stadium.
However, striker Shane Long and substitute Daryl Horgan passed up the best of them as the spoils were shared.
Kenny’s men might well have lost the game as well, though, with referee Tasos Sidiropoulos taking a lenient viewofgoalkeeperDarrenRandolph’s first-half challenge on Ethan Ampadu before sending offJamesMcCleanforasecond bookable offence late on.
The draw ended Wales’ perfect start to the League B Group 4 campaign ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Bulgaria, while the Republic, who had to play £15million Tottenham fullback Matt Doherty in central defence for more than an hour, havetakenjust two pointsfrom the first nine available as they head for Finland.
Robbie Brady was unable to make much of his 17th-minute opening after Jeff Hendrick had combined with full-backs Doherty and Enda Stevens.
Shane Long should have put Ireland in front within 10 minutes of the restart, but he headed wastefully over with just keeper Wayne Hennessey to beat. Horgan might also have done better when he fired over after his initial header from McClean’s cross had been blocked. But the home side’s hopes suffered a fresh blow when McClean, who had already been cautioned, was dismissed for a late challenge on Ampadu.