It could have been better, but a point away from home against quality opposition is never a bad result.
Ireland's 1-1 draw against Ukraine will offer plenty of encouragement, with Stephen Kenny's side bouncing back brilliantly from their two recent defeats to end this international window in strong form.
Their first half performance in Lodz was especially impressive, and while they would not be able to hold onto the lead they carried into the interval, supporters will have been pleased with much of what they saw from the team.
Here's how we rated the performances on the night.
Ireland player ratings vs Ukraine
Caoimhín Kelleher - 7
Produced a good save to stop a strong Ukrainian effort from the edge of the box in the 11th minute, making another decent stop to keep Mykolenko out ten minutes later.
There was nothing he could do the equaliser.
Darragh Lenihan - 8
Making his competitive international debut, Lenihan certainly didn't let the occasion get to him. He was excellent in the back three, snuffing out a number of Ukrainian attacks in the first half which mostly came down that right flank. He also showed off an excellent range of passing at times.
Didn't see the man at the far post for the Ukraine equaliser, although he had other runners to track in the box as Ireland got overrun. It was a very good performance from the Meath native, who has shown he is well capable of performing at this level.
Nathan Collins - 9
Despite this being only his sixth international cap, Collins was the leader and organiser in the back three. He was brilliant right from the off, looking strong at the back and comfortable on the ball.
His goal was absolutely stunning, picking the ball up in the midfield and producing a mazy run before finishing with the outside of his right foot.
The Kildare man was outstanding throughout the second half, although most of his contributions would come at the defensive end of the pitch. A brilliant performance.
Ireland have found themselves a real gem in Nathan Collins! This is some goal 🤤 #UKRIRL pic.twitter.com/gLtXSACxEY
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) June 14, 2022
Dara O'Shea - 7
O'Shea had the least defending to do out of the back three in the first half, although he did well when called upon.
You would have hoped to see him step out of the defence a bit more often, something he is fully capable of doing. The West Brom defended well throughout. In all, a solid showing.
Alan Browne - 5
Looked to get forward often, whipping a beautiful cross into the box inside the opening minute. His passing was very impressive in the opening 45 minutes, punching the ball into forward areas.
He struggled after the interval, with Ukraine seemingly picking up the tempo. He was nowhere to be seen for the equaliser as he was caught high up the pitch. Browne seemed to struggle with his defensive duties somewhat, understandable considering he was playing out of position.
James McClean - 6
McClean was not all that involved in the Irish attack in the opening half, although that was largely down to the fact that most of their play came down the right flank. His crossing did largely let him down on the night.
He was caught a mile out of position for the Ukraine equaliser, then failed to stop the cross from Yarmolenko when he did recover. Still, he did make a few defensive contributions at times when Ireland were under pressure, including late on to stop a Yarmolenko effort in the box.
Josh Cullen - 8
Cullen was ferocious in the tackle right from the off, being quick off the mark to stop a number of attacks. He pressed relentlessly, setting the tone for the rest of the side.
His reading of the game was top class, both in terms of playing out of trouble and picking off opposition passes.
Ireland's best player on the night outside of Collins.
Jayson Molumby - 7
Molumby was typically full of energy in the middle third, both in and out of possession. He covered a huge amount of ground in the opening 45 minutes as he stopped the opposition from getting any sort of rhythm in their play.
He did seem to tire slightly in the second half before coming off, although it was still a good performance.
Jason Knight - 6
Had a good long range effort well stopped by the Ukraine goalkeeper in the first half, with Knight providing plenty of drive from the midfield.
The Derby County man received some harsh treatment from the referee at times, although he did also go to ground easily on occasion. Not quite up to the standard of some his recent performances, being replaced in the 67th minute.
Scott Hogan - 4
Had a very quiet opening half, although he did work hard throughout.
Hogan certainly didn't have the movement of his strike partner, failing offer runs in behind or an option to feet when dropping deep. It was not a surprise to see him withdrawn before the hour mark.
Troy Parrott - 7
Had a golden opportunity to open the scoring for Ireland in the early stages, but he made a complete mess of the free header in the box. Parrott was full of movement up front, also pressing brilliantly in the final third.
The Spurs man did find the going a bit more tough in the second half, although much of that came down to a lack of service. The forward still looked like making something happen on the occasions he did get on the ball.
Substitutions
Callum Robinson - 6
Came on in the 56th minute, he did offer more than Hogan. In saying that, there was also a sense that he did slow things down a bit too much on the ball on occasion.
Jeff Hendrick - 7
Brought a bit of calmness on the ball after his introduction, something Ireland had been lacking in the second half. Looked like creating a couple of chances on occasion.
Conor Hourihane - 5
Hourihane failed to have much of an impact after his introduction.
Chiedozie Ogbene - N/A
Not on long enough to rate.
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