Republic of Ireland 0 France 1:There were hints of a return to the romance of the underdog at Croke Park tonight and for a time a collective swell of belief that an improbable result could be garnered rose among the home support - but the French didn't by into the nostalgic Ole, Oles and a cruel deflection made a tough job immeasurably harder.
In truth, it was probably what the visitors deserved. Their disjointed first half performance offered hope that the behind the scenes disquiet was manifesting itself on the pitch but they threatened regularly after the break and could have had three.
Nicolas Anelka's deflected shot 18 minutes from time was enough to take a 1-0 away goal lead back to Paris for the second leg of this World Cup play-off on Wednesday. Seán St Ledger, the unfortunate who got the assist, did not deserve it after a solid performance against a truly top class frontline.
Domenech started with Andre-Pierre Gignac leading the line and a Thierry Henry, Yoann Gourcuff and Anelka behind him. Alou Diarra started in midfield alongside namesake Lassana after Jeremy Toulalan failed a late fitness test, while Giovanna Trapattoni opted for Liam Lawrence instead of Aiden McGeady on the right.
After an ominous period of possession early on for France, Ireland, especially Keith Andrews and Glen Whelan, bit into tackles, and the home side got their foot on the ball with Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane and Duff looking lively.
Lawrence had Ireland's best chance of the half when Keane's shot deflected into his path off Hugo Lloris, but from five yards his shot was forced wide by Patrice Evra.
Gignac had already seen a goal for France rightly ruled out for offside, but his cheeky chip served warning as to his ability. Gourcuff called for a routine save from Shay Given and Henry bundled through six minutes before the break, but shot poorly wide.
France were bright again in the opening exchanges of second half but it was Ireland who had them scrambling six minutes later when Richard Dunne met Duff's corner and found John O'Shea. The Manchester United man's shot on the turn screwed over to the back post where Keane tried an overhead. His effort was cleared to Kilbane whose shot was turned round the post by an outstretched French leg.
France were well capable of inducing panic of in Ireland's defence too and Given was fortunate to see Evra's penalty appeals waved away after he appeared to take down the full-back. His defence was breached in the 72 minute, however, when Anelka collected the ball outside the box and fired what looked initially like a tame shot goalwards, only for St Ledger's intervention to wrong-foot Given.
Kilbane's poor back pass handed them an opportunity to double their lead, but with the goal gaping after Given denied the Chelsea striker and Gignac sliced the rebound horribly wide.
Having already brought on Leon Best for Doyle, Trapattoni added McGeady and Stephen Hunt to the mix in place of Duff and Lawrence, and it was Whelan who went closest with four minutes left after firing two warning shots.
Best found Keane in the box and the captain's flick dropped to the onrushing Stoke midfielder but his shot was blocked by Hugo Lloris and a what could have been a priceless equaliser was denied.
A disappointing result, but the performance will mean hope still lingers ahead of Wednesday.
Rep of Ireland:Shay Given; Sean St Ledger, John 0'Shea, Richard Dunne, Kevin Kilbane; Glenn Whelan, Liam Lawrence (Stephen Hunt 80), Keith Andrews, Damien Duff (Aidan McGeady 76); Kevin Doyle (Leon Best 71), Robbie Keane.
France:Hugo Lloris; Bacary Sagna, William Gallas, Eric Abidal, Patrice Evra; Lassana Diarra, Alou Diarra; Nicolas Anelka, Yoann Gourcuff, Thierry Henry; Andre-Pierre Gignac (Florent Malouda 90+1).
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