THE Republic of Ireland’s final opponents Montenegro remain without a win in Group Eight after letting a second-half lead slip away against Cyprus.

Mirko Vucinic handed the home side a 57th-minute lead with a penalty, but Cyprus drew level seven minutes later when Ioannis Okkas netted. Zoran Filipovic’s team, like Cyprus, had seen their hopes of a surprise top-two finish disappear earlier in the campaign so were playing for national pride. Montenegro play Ireland on October 14th in Croke Park.