UEFA Nations League Report: Republic of Ireland 0 - 0 Wales

Andrew Dempsey reports from the Aviva Stadium

Ireland remain winless from three games in the UEFA Nations League as they played out a scoreless draw with Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Boys in Green can take positives from the game, but they will be left ruing missed chances as they looked to bounce back from their play-off defeat in Slovakia on Thursday evening.

Shane Long and substitute Daryl Horgan both went close in the second half for Ireland, but their cause was stunted at the death following the dismissal of James McClean.

The point sees Kenny’s side remain five points behind Wales in the Nations League table with three games left to play.

A Covid-hit Ireland took to the game with a positive case wreaking havoc with manager Stephen Kenny’s plans – and the ex-Dundalk boss was forced into making four changes from the loss to Slovakia.

David McGoldrick and James McCarthy were ruled out with injury, while both John Egan and Callum Robinson were replaced by Robbie Brady and Kevin Long.

Ireland under-21 captain under Kenny Jayson Molumby was drafted in, as Ryan Giggs’ Wales saw starts for the returning duo of Daniel James and Aaron Ramsey.

The Welsh, who had the beautifully-named Rhys Norrington-Davies starting on the bench, started with what looked like a traditional 4-4-2 shape.

The game however struggled to show signs of life, and it was not until the 18^th minute that there was an effort on goal. Robbie Brady’s effort was blocked by a Welsh foot.

The visitors grew into the game slowly as the half wore on, but they too produced precious little in terms of an attacking threat.

Harry Wilson had their best chance of the half but his weak effort on goal was parried clear by Darren Randolph in the Irish goal.

The Boys in Green – who had to swap Matt Doherty into a central defensive position following the injury to Kevin Long – did, however, have the best chance of a quiet opening half.

Brady – who became the 42^nd Irish international to reach 50 caps – picked up on a loose pass from the Welsh midfield, before driving through on goal.

However, the former St Kevin’s Boys schoolboy shot wide of goal when it appeared easier to hit the target.

There was a claim for a Wales penalty as the half concluded, but the protests were waved away by the Greek referee Anastasios Sidiropoulos.

Substitute Cyrus Christie had the last effort on goal of a rather mundane opening half, but his shot was always rising over the bar as the sides went in scoreless at the break.  

Stephen Kenny’s charges pushed on after the break, and they should have opened the scoring in the 55^th minute through Shane Long.

Long was found unmarked in the Wales penalty area after an Enda Stevens cross from deep, but the former Cork City forward could only head his effort over the bar.

The lively Brady then went close as his cross-turned-shot almost creeped into the top corner of Wayne Hennessey’s Wales goal – but it went over the bar.

The visitors did have moments however, with Ramsey seeing one of his efforts on goal blocked by an Irish defender, leading to a corner.

With just over a quarter of an hour to play, Kenny introduced his former Dundalk winger Daryl Horgan – and his arrival onto the pitch almost led to an opener.

Horgan got his head on a McClean cross into the box, but his header was blocked by a Welsh defender. The ball came back to him on the rebound, but he could only shoot over the bar.

The game would soon turn on its head with just over five minutes of normal time to play, as McClean was dismissed for a second yellow card.

The former Derry City winger under Kenny appeared to have reacted badly to Joe Morrell’s challenge on the left-flank, leaving the referee with no hesitation to send him off.

Ireland however held firm to secure a point as the Boys in Green secured their second clean sheet on the bounce.

Republic of Ireland: Darren Randolph; Matt Doherty, Shane Duffy, Kevin Long (Cyrus Christie 25), Enda Stevens; Robbie Brady (Daryl Horgan 73), Jeff Hendrick, Conor Hourihane, James McClean, Jayson Molumby (Joshua Cullen 90); Shane Long (Sean

/.Maguire 73).

Subs not used: Jack Byrne, Caoimhin Kelleher, Mark Travers.

Booked: Cyrus Christie (30), James McClean (79), James McClean (83).

Sent off: James McClean (83).

Wales: Wayne Hennessey; Joe Rodon, Connor Roberts, Ben Davies, Ethan Ampadu; Matthew Smith (Dylan Levitt 67), Aaron Ramsey, Joe Morrell; Kieffer Moore, Daniel James (David Brooks 77), Harry Wilson (Neco Williams 67).

Subs not used: Will Vaulks, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Rabbi Matondo, Dylan Levitt, Chris Gunter, Adam Davies, Ben Cabango, David Brooks, Danny Ward, Neco Williams, Jonathan Williams.

Booked: Kieffer Moore (21) ,Joe Morrell (83).

Referee: Anastasios Sidiropoulos (Greece).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Jayson Molumby (Republic of Ireland).