Ireland forced to settle for a share
By Stephen Leonard
THE Republic or Ireland battled out a scoreless draw with Wales in today's UEFA Nations League clash in the Aviva Stadium.
It was another impressive performance by Stephen Kenny's side, especially in light of the fact that they lost five players as a result of one positive Covid test in the approach to the tie in which they played the final ten minutes with ten men after James McClean was shown a second yellow.
Stephen Kenny
Yet, while the homeside played some nice football, goalkeeper Darren Randolph was called upon to see Harry Wilson's effort around the post.
And the Ireland shotstopper was fortunate not to concede a penalty following a clumsy challenge on Ethan Ampadu on the half hour mark.
Soon after Robbie Brady was very unlucky not to get Ireland off the mark when he intercepted a pass by Wilson before running at the Welsh cover and shooting fractionally wide.
Ireland really should have been a goal up early in the second period when Enda Steven’s delivery in was met by the head of Shane Long, but he put too much air under the ball.
Substitute Daryl Horgan quickly made his presence felt after being sprung from the bench, but his dangerous ball across the box did not got the touch from Jayson Molumby that it needed.
Ireland were building more and more momentum, but the dismissal of McClean left them on the backfoot for much of the closing stages.
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