Gary Connaughton reporting from the Aviva Stadium
Embarrassing.
After an encouraging performance in Belgrade in midweek, hopes were high that Ireland would finally end their winless run against Luxembourg this evening. That was far from the case.
It was a historic night for Ireland, but for all the wrong reasons. Luxembourg, while improved in recent years, remain one of the minnows of the European game.
This is how we rated the performances on a dreadful night for Irish football.
Ireland Player Ratings
Gavin Bazunu - 6
Was very vocal right from the first minute of the game, delivering instructions to his defenders, Bazunu pulled off an excellent save after nearly being caught off his line late in the first half.
Made another excellent save just after the hour mark to keep the game level in the second half. He could do little about the goal and was one of the few Ireland players to emerge with any real credit from this game.
Seamus Coleman - 5
Looked to get forward when given the opportunity, Coleman also made some key defensive interventions at times.
However, far too much came down his side in the second half as Luxembourg created the better of the chances.
Dara O'Shea - 6
O'Shea was solid as ever at the back in the opening half and continued to be the most solid Irish defender.
He put his body on the line on a number of occasions and did okay in the circumstances.
Ciaran Clark - 4
Was very sloppy on the ball in the opening stages, but did defend well on a few occasions when he was asked to.
He was caught out of position on a few occasions however, being replaced by James McClean just after the hour mark.
Matt Doherty - 4
Could not get behind the Luxembourg defence in the opening half, Doherty had very little impact in an attacking sense.
He picked up a knock early in the game and perhaps that played a role in his performance, with the player substituted at halftime.
Enda Stevens - 5
Attempted to link up down the left, but was often let down by his teammates in delivering the incisive pass. His attacking influence wained as the game went on, with Stevens moving into the back three for the final 30 minutes or so.
He hardly featured in the game from this point.
Josh Cullen - 5
Could not get on the ball as much as he would have liked in the opening 45 minutes, with that largely down to the lack of space the opposition allowed when Ireland played the ball out.
That changed slightly as the game went, although it's fair to say this did not match his performance in Belgrade.
Jason Knight - 7
Did most of his good work off the ball in the early stages, Knight has a real adeptness at stealing the ball from the opposition. He was one of the few players to play with any real urgency in the first half.
Every half decent Ireland opportunity seemed to develop from his pressing ability. Ireland's best player on a dreadful night.
Alan Browne - 3
While he did try to get forward as often as he could, Browne's link-up play left a lot to be desired at times.
Had an excellent opportunity to score another goal with his head early in the second half but put it well wide. His tendency to give the ball away became a real issue as the game developed, with attacks continually breaking down when he got on possession.
We were very surprised to see him remain on the pitch for so long.
Callum Robinson - 5
Looked to get in behind and provide the final ball, Robinson was the player looked most likely to make something happen in the final third during the opening period, although there was not much competition for that title.
That changed in the second half, with his only contribution of note being a snap shot that went well over the bar. Replaced with 17 minutes to go.
James Collins - 5
Missed a golden opportunity early on, with his close range effort directed straight at the goalkeeper. Collins offered little in terms of buildup play.
The Luton man offers very little threat in behind, but he did almost create a goal out of nothing with an overhead kick. While he missed a couple of chances, he was the only one who put himself in any sort of dangerous positions.
Substitutes
Robbie Brady - 5
Tried to bring a bit of inventiveness and guile into the final third, something that had been sorely lacking in the opening period.
That didn't last long however, with the player drifting further and further out of the game as it went on.
James McClean - 4
Did absolutely nothing of note after coming on.
Shane Long - 4
Was way off the pace up front, failing to provide any sort link up play. Also scuffed his lines on the couple of occasions that the ball did fall his way.
Troy Parrott & Jayson Molumby - N/A
Luckily for them, they weren't on long enough to rate.
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