Poland 0-0 Republic of Ireland

Image source, Inpho

Image caption, Lukasz Szukala and Shane Long in aerial combat

The Republic of Ireland played out a largely uninspiring goalless draw with Poland in a game of few chances.

Defender Stephen Kelly squandered the best opening of the first half when he headed over when well placed.

Aiden McGeady looked lively throughout as the Republic showed plenty of endeavour and organisation.

Lukasz Szukala and Tomasz Jodloweic created opportunities for the Poles in the second half but Martin O'Neill retains his unbeaten record as manager.

The Irish came into the game hoping to build on the mood of optimism generated by the appointment of O'Neill and assistant Roy Keane, followed by the 3-0 win over Latvia in Dublin.

In contrast, the Poles lost their opening fixture under new boss Adam Nawalka, a 2-0 defeat away to Slovakia.

Both sides enjoyed their fair share of possession in the early stages but it took 21 minutes before the first clear-cut chance of the game fell to Kelly - the full-back's downward header from a corner bouncing off the turf and looping over the bar.

Soon after, Sunderland defender John O'Shea was perhaps fortunate to escape with a yellow card for a deliberate handball in his own half after being introduced as a substitute for the injured Sean St Ledger.

Most of the Irish attacking threat emanated from a rejuvenated McGeady, and the livewire winger saw his left-foot shot saved by Wojciech Szczesny in the 59th minute.

With Borussia Dortmund dangerman Robert Lewandowski substituted, the Poles struggled to create a credible goalscoring chance until David Forde was forced to gather a Szukala header.

A superb low cross from James McClean just failed to find an Irish shirt and then Jodloweic fired over the bar for the hosts.

The visitors had to withstand some late pressure but, overall, it was a solid rather than spectacular performance from O'Neill's charges, with goalmouth action at a premium.

Next up for the Irish is a home friendly against Serbia on 5 March, 2014, but before then attention will turn to the draw for Euro 2016 qualifying which takes place in Nice on 23 February.