Soccer

Republic avoid relegation - but it's another dreary night at the Aviva

Republic of Ireland's James Collins rues a missed chance during last night's Uefa Nations League clash with Bulgaria at the Aviva Stadium
Republic of Ireland's James Collins rues a missed chance during last night's Uefa Nations League clash with Bulgaria at the Aviva Stadium Republic of Ireland's James Collins rues a missed chance during last night's Uefa Nations League clash with Bulgaria at the Aviva Stadium

Uefa Nations League Group B4: Republic of Ireland 0 Bulgaria 0

THE Republic of Ireland ended an instantly forgettable year with a signature scoreless draw against Bulgaria in wind-swept Dublin last night – but the point was good enough to avoid relegation from Group B in the Nations League.

Sadly, the goal drought continues for the Irish having now gone seven games without finding the net.

Indeed, the only goal the Republic have mustered during Stephen Kenny’s early reign is Shane Duffy’s stoppage-time header in Sofia at the beginning of September.

Last night, they came close a couple of times to ending their unenviable scoring record, as did Bulgaria, but this Nations League game drifted to what always seemed an inevitable conclusion of no goals.

Robby Brady, Ronan Curtis and James Collins had sights of goal but couldn’t convert them to give their manager his first win since taking over from Mick McCarthy.

Brady’s rasping second-half drive from 25 yards rattled Bulgaria’s crossbar – one rare moment of quality on the night - while Collins had a chance in each half but failed to hit the target.

The home side didn’t lack for effort. Quality is their Achilles heel, especially given their shorn resources over the past couple of months but particularly last night.

As a result, Kenny had to dig deep into Ireland’s resources to put out a team that improved as the evening wore on.

For the casual Irish fan, last night’s starting line-up needed more than a couple of Google searches. Nineteen-year-old Derby County midfielder Jason Knight and defender Ryan Manning of Swansea City were handed senior debuts while fringe players Daryl Horgan, James Collins, Ronan Curtis and Dara O’Shea were all given chances to impress in the final international game of the year.

Including the two debutants, Kenny was forced to field six players whose international appearances hadn’t reached double figures yet.

Due to a combination of Covid, injury and suspension, Ireland were deprived of a remarkable 13 players including James McClean, Matt Doherty, Enda Stevens, Aaron Connolly, Callum Robinson, James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman, John Egan, Harry Arter, Jeff Hendrick, Jayson Molumby, Adam Idah and Alan Browne.

The visitors weren’t in great shape either with nine of their players forced to sit out last night’s Nations League game because of Covid-related issues but they were still able to field six of the side that drew 1-1 in this corresponding fixture in Sofia two months ago.

And for most of the opening half the Bulgarians were the far slicker of the two sides and looked the more likely to open the scoring – helped in no small part by some sloppy passes in defensive positions from the Republic.

Shane Duffy’s deficiencies in going short with his passes were exposed again when he failed to find Conor Hourihane in central midfield but the Celtic defender’s sloppiness wasn’t punished.

A few minutes later, Knight was guilty of another awful pass towards Duffy but this time the Ireland captain did well to hold up Dimitar Iliev whose shot from the edge of the area was easily saved by Darren Randolph.

Central defender Kristian Dimitrov also went close with a header from a corner. At the other end, James Collins the best chance for the hosts.

Six minutes before the interval, Wycombe Wanderers winger Daryl Horgan, Ireland’s best performer in the first half, twisted and turned and stood up a lovely back post cross for Collins – but the big Luton striker didn’t adjust his feet well enough and failed to get any power on his header which drifted over Bulgaria’s crossbar.

Earlier, Robbie Brady’s dangerous free-kick forced a save from Martin Lukov and Ronan Curtis caused some stress in the visitors’ back-line.

Ireland, in fairness, improved in the second half – just through sheer work-rate alone. Collins was unlucky with a near-post effort following O’Shea’s fine cross from the right.

Then Curtis skied the best chance of the night on 55 minutes after a terrific run from Knight.

On 68 minutes, Brady saw his brilliant effort come thundering off the crossbar. Bulgaria never extended Darren Randolph in goal but the visitors still posed a threat on the counter and Duffy had to be alert to prevent Kristian Dimitrov from tapping in at the back post.

As the wind howled and whistled all around an empty Aviva last night, the home side emptied the tank in every department. Given the unending drama of Covid and the unprecedented number of absentees since Kenny took charge, the best thing that can be said for Ireland’s year is that it’s over.

Things can only get better in 2021 when the World Cup qualifiers kick off in March. Damn Covid permitting.