The Greening of Paris

After a rousing rendition of Amhrán Na bhFiann the Irish joined in with the French in singing the Marseilles!

Ireland started brightly and not lacking in confidence had their first chance on goal after a minutes. Roy Keane played a through-ball for Morrison who was narrowly beaten to the ball by Barthez.

For the first 20 minutes, Morrison's touch was superb, taking the ball wide, taking the ball into the centre and at all time keeping the ball away from Givet, his marker.   He won the balls in the air and forced Givet into conceding several free kicks.    Morrisson was supported by Robbie Keane upfront with Roy Keane and Kilbane playing a supporting role from the midfield and further support from Carr and Finnan on the right wing, with Duffer on the left.

Ireland dominated the early exchanges and it was after almost eight minutes had elapsed before Thierry Henry got his first touch.  It was another couple of minutes before Given got his first touch

The first real threat for France came in the twenty fourth minute when Dacourt's over the top pass (kick and rush!) was latched onto by Cisse who outpaced O'Shea.   Cunningham was on hand to clear the danger.  Ireland responded but Morrisson was unable to direct his header, from Finnan's cross, towards the goal.

A minute later, on 25 minutes Pires won a free on the right, just outside outside the box after diving as O'Shea tried to get in tackle.   For the remainder of the game flank he was booed every time he touched the ball.  Some home game for France!  

Wiltord picked out Henry, who slipped the ball to Pires.  Ignoring the jeers from the Irish, Pires ran from 20 metres out in the centre of the park, feinted to the right and shot at goal.   Given, who is currently one of the best international keepers in the world, dived full length to block the shot and than managed to smoother the loose ball.

Then disaster for Ireland as Morrison limped off with a knee injury. He was replaced by Reid who replaced him in a straight swap.

The Irish started the second half brightly.  Robbie Keane had  a one-on-one with Barthez, which the French keeper won,  Then Zinadine Kilbane shot just wide of the post.  Where would the ball come from?

A Reid corner after sixty-two minutes was punched clear by Barthez. Duff picked up the clearance 22 metres out and hot the ball goalward, but Barthez, scrambling back to his line managed to throw his body in front of the ball to concede a corner rather than a goal.

This signalled a concentrated period of Irish strength. Dacourt then went off injured and  was replaced by Diarra. The clearest Irish chances then followed.  Robbie Keane couldn't make Carr's near post cross and then O'Shea stabbed a right-footed effort across goal and wide from Finnan's deadball delivery from the left wing.

Although the game was opening up the French wee unable to breach the Irish defences which received excellent covering from the midfield.

Duffer adopted a more defensive posture and tried to close down Gallas who was exploiting the gap left by Duff on the right. Gallas came close to scoring from a Pires free kick.

Ireland continued to press fir the elusive goal. In the 88th minute, Robbie Keane, Duff, Roy Keane, Finnan and Carr were all involved in forcing a corner on the right.   Barthez was lucky not to receive a red card after he elbowed O'Brien in face before the corner was taken.  O'Brien was not pleased and was involved in a minor scuffle with the goalkeeper.

The final whistle and the Irish earn a credible draw in a pulsating, entertaining and engaging nil-all draw,  The Irish probably deserved to win but the Irish supporters were nit disappointed as Ireland played world class football in Stade de France..

France: Barthez, Gallas, Squillaci, Givet, Silvestre, Wiltord, Mavuba, Dacourt (Diarra 64 mins), Pires, Cisse (Govou 82 mins), Henry.

Republic of Ireland: Given, Carr, O'Brien, Cunningham, O'Shea, Finnan, Roy Keane, Kilbane, Duff, Robbie Keane, Morrison (Reid 40 mins).

Ref: Arturo Dauden Ibanez (Spain).