A fair result.
The March international window has come to a close for Ireland, playing out a 1-1 draw with Qatar in Hungary.
They took a lead early in the contest through James McClean and probably should have went into the interval even further ahead. However, a Qatar goal just after the break got them back in the game.
Ireland had a couple of opportunities to win it late on but just couldn't find the breakthrough. It is now 11 games without a win for Stephen Kenny.
Here's how we rated the performances on the night.
Gavin Bazunu - 6
Looked to have given a penalty away in the early stages only to be saved by the linesman, Bazunu did look a little suspect on a couple of occasions when coming off his line.
Could do little about the Qatar goal and was asked to do little else.
Seamus Coleman - 7
Showed some brilliant distribution at times in the first half, picking out Shane Long in behind with a couple of delightful chipped balls over the top.
He was brilliant at pushing Ireland up the pitch and also defended well when asked to. Arguably Ireland's best player yet again.
Shane Duffy - 7
Saved Bazunu's blushes with a key defensive intervention late in the first half and did the same for Daryl Horgan a few minutes later.
Duffy was not asked to step out with the ball as had been on other occasions under Kenny, leaving him to concentrate on the defensive side of the game, something he did well.
Dara O'Shea - 6
Made a couple of good interventions at the back, but his positioning was a bit suspect on occasion at times.
Not quite up to the standard he has set in previous games.
Cyrus Christie - 7
Got forward well in the opening period, Christie looked dangerous throughout. However, his final ball did let him down at times.
He also pressed very well at times, causing the Qatari defence problems when they attempted to play out from the back. Put the ball on a plate for Josh Cullen late on only for the opposition goalkeeper to deny him the winner.
James McClean - 7
Took his goal very well after a well worked set-piece from Ireland, even if it was aided by a deflection.
McClean was a little suspect with his defensive positioning in the first few minutes but seemed to quickly adjust. He certainly did not show the effects of his recent injury, although he was a little bit rash in the tackle at times.
Jayson Molumby - 7
Was not shy in showing for the ball, Molumby also pressed very high up the pitch when Qatar were in possession. He brings a a huge amount of energy to the Irish midfield.
He got forward himself on a couple of occasions, including one run that ended in a tame effort from Christie when the midfielder was perhaps better positioned to take the shot on.
Jeff Hendrick - 5
Looked off the pace in the first half, getting caught in possession and bypassed in midfield. Was also slow to release the ball at times. There were a few occasions when Ireland looked to be in only for Hendrick to hold onto the ball for too long.
He could not bring the control to the midfield that Ireland needed.
Robbie Brady - N/A
Brady drifted around the pitch, looking to get on possession in pockets of space. He looked very bright in the opening period but was unfortunately forced off due to injury after only 20 minutes.
Daryl Horgan - 6
Looked very lively in the opening stages, linking up play well high up the pitch. Most of the good Irish play came through him early on, including the assist for McClean's goal.
He did drift out of the game a bit as the contest developed but he brought plenty of energy to the side. Replaced after 56 minutes.
Shane Long - 5
Struggled to link up the play in the early stages, Long's passing was often out of sync with runs his teammates were making.
Missed an absolute sitter to double Ireland's lead just before the half hour mark, Not a good day at the office, with the 34-year old replaced just before the hour mark.
Substitutes
Troy Parrott - 6
Linked up the play very well after his introduction, bringing others into play when dropping deep to pick up possession.
Parrott didn't quite have the impact around the penalty area that you have hoped for but some of that was down to lack of service.
Callum Robinson - 6
Robinson's impact seemed mostly confined to set-piece deliveries after coming on. He worked hard and had a couple of attempts on goal and certainly should have done better with the one late on with the Qatar goalkeeper caught in no man's land.
Jason Knight - 6
Was a willing runner from midfield, attempting to stretch the Qatari defence. However, the service was often lacking from deep.
He also turned over the opposition on a couple of occasions, something that is becoming a key part of his game.
Ryan Manning, Josh Cullen, & Alan Browne - N/A
Not on long enough to rate.
SEE ALSO: Stephen Kenny Is Remaining Steadfast In His Ireland Beliefs, Now He Needs Our Patience
