Too little too late from Ireland

Rep of Ireland 0 Germany 0: The fact the point gained here keeps alive Ireland's miniscule mathematical hopes of qualification means nothing.  The baton was dropped some time ago and the fact remains that Cyprus could still eclipse us for third spot as they finish their own campaign from the clouds.

Germany did what they had to do.  They've secured qualification for next summer's finals after a thoroughly professional campaign that ranks them among the favourites for Austria and Switzerland next summer.  But they were for the taking here in Dublin.  Shorn of a host of first-team players, they played for the draw and went untroubled for much of the contest.

The Irish players spoke of pride during the week and they certainly restored some to the jersey.  But only for a late second half surge did Steve Staunton's men raise their game to match-winning intensity.  They peppered the German defence at the death, but even that won't mask a frustrating, unorganised performance.

Rightly or wrongly, Staunton will remain in charge.  With qualification all but dead in the water he insisted motivation would not be a problem. It wasn't.  When inclined, his players threw the kitchen sink at their opponents.  But it was gusto and heart only.  Their play lacked cohesion and imagination throughout, feeding off scraps here and there.

There is unquestionably potential in abundance in this squad.  Yes, they're young and - save for a few - inexperienced, but under Staunton's stewardship they worryingly fail to execute basic tasks in a manner that would offer hope for the immediate future.

Germany travelled in the knowledge that a point would secure their ticket.  They certainly played like a team content for a draw.  Surges forward were few and far between, yet those that breached the Irish defence were clinical in approach. Indeed, much more so than their hosts.

Ireland were regularly invited forward as Germany sat deep throughout and consequently the home side spent a good deal of time anchored in their opponent's half.  Yet creativity was conspicuous by its absence.  Andy Reid and surprise inclusion Andy Keogh worked tirelessly and at times showed neatness of touch and tremendous vision.

But despite their honest endeavour, forays forward ultimately lacked penetration with many green jerseys sauntering around the pitch during a dour opening half.  Misplaced paces littered the early play and for lengthy spells the performance was extremely uninspiring.

Robbie Keane, often criticised for dropping too deep, was positioned high upfield throughout.  His trademark unpredictability was stifled as a result.  With Lee Carsley - booked and now out of Wednesday's game - busy containing, Reid was overburdened and could have done with Keane's assistance in linking play.

The German defence have conceded just four goals this campaign and, despite offering their opponents ample room to conjure something special, comfortably soaked whatever came their way.  In truth, there was little danger. Keane did read a cute ball from Reid, beating offside in the process, but with no options inside he smacked a hopeful shot off goalkeeper Jens Lehman from a tight angle.

Soon after, Joey O'Brien scrambled a close range header goalwards but he was swamped by defenders and never likely to win the fight.  With John O'Shea having failed a morning fitness test, the Dubliner was thrust into central defence alongside Richard Dunne.  Out of position, he coped admirably but Dunne alongside was working overtime from the first whistle.

The Manchester City captain is very much the leader in a team lacking stand-out characters and he needed to draw on those qualities throughout.  Mario Gomez was menacing until his substitution and required shackling on more than one occasion.  Both Dunne and Stephen Kelly made crucial interventions to deny the Stuttgart striker, who was regularly targeted by overlapping fullback Arne Friedrich.

Staunton's ability to motivate his players is open to debate but whatever words he parted with at the break had an effect.  His players emerged hungrier and collectively more in tune with the task at hand.  Within five minutes of the restart Lehman twice tipped dipping balls over his crossbar.  First, Carsley's cross threatened to deceive before Gomez's back-header had the goalkeeper scrambling.

But Keane should have scored soon after.  The visitors cleared to the half-way line where Kelly headed back into the mix.  His captain beat the offside trap but was perhaps surprised to do so as his attempted lob of Lehman was poorly executed and never threatened.  Frustratingly, that was as good as it got for the home side who huffed and puffed for the closing 20 minutes without ever threatening.

For the visitors, Torsten Frings was unspectacular but efficient in midfield and was catalyst for substitute striker Lucas Podolski's best work in the closing quarter.  Twice the Bayern Munich striker kept Shay Given focused on his job.

But try as they might, Ireland could not breach an impenetrable German defence.  Substitutes Shane Long and Aiden McGeady added drive and verve late on, but by that stage the visitors had Staunton's men at arms length - and were more than comfortable holding them at bay.

Rep of Ireland:  Given; Finnan, O'Brien, Dunne, Kelly; Keogh (McGeady 80), Reid, Carsley, Kilbane (Murphy 90); Keane, Doyle (Long 70).  Booked:  Carsley (36), Dunne (44)

Germany:  Lehmann; Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Jansen; Fritz, Schweinsteiger (Rolfes), Frings, Trochowski (Castro 90); Kuranyi, Gomez (Podolski 64).  Booked:  Lehman (50), Frings (55)

Referee:  Martin Hansson (Sweden)