Two-goal Gleeson is the Irish hero against Germany

U-21 International/Germany - 2 Republic of Ireland - 2:Stephen Gleeson was a two-goal hero for the Republic of Ireland under-21 side in their 2-2 draw against Germany in Furth last night.

The Wolves midfielder, who made his senior debut in the US tour in May, showed his potential to be a big asset for Ireland with a dynamic display.

For Don Givens's side it was the perfect end to a strange two days which saw the non-appearance of Anthony Stokes for the trip.

This friendly may not offer any Uefa qualification points but it will give the Irish real confidence ahead of their September 7th opener against Portugal.

With England, Bulgaria and Montenegro also in their group, the Irish face a tough battle to qualify for the Uefa finals for the first time.

Aston Villa defender Stephen O'Halloran was forced to make a brave block to deny Ashkan Dejagah from close range in the sixth minute.

Germany looked confident in attack early on and Rouwen Hennings was unlucky to head narrowly wide from a right-wing cross by Andreas Beck in the 15th minute.

However, Hennings scored three minutes later after getting onto a rebound after Irish goalkeeper Darren Randolph failed to hold a shot by Dennis Aogo.

Billy Clarke created a golden chance to level for Jim O'Brien in the 31st minute but the Celtic winger shot into the side-netting after controlling well.

Adam Rooney passed up an even better opportunity three minutes later when he scuffed a shot wide with just the goalkeeper to beat after great work by Stephen Quinn.

Quinn's determination created another opening for Rooney three minutes later but the Stoke striker somehow scuffed his shot to let the Germans off the hook.

The Irish eventually were rewarded for their perseverance when Gleeson intercepted a poor pass by Juri Judt and ran through to fire home. Gleeson put the Irish in front in the 64th minute with a perfectly timed run following a break led by Clarke down the left. Clarke's deep cross found Eddie Nolan and his subtle pass inside allowed Gleeson to tap home from six yards out.

Germany levelled with five minutes left when Andreas Beck rose highest to nod home a free-kick by Marc Andre Kuska past Randolph.

GERMANY: Neuer (Framlowitz 46); Schwaab, Beck, Boenisch (Marin 61), Schonheim (Flessers, 61 mins), Judt (Furstner, 46 mins), Aogo, Kruska, Dejagah (Bieler, 46 mins), Ede (Grote, 55 mins), Hennings.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Randolph; Kane (Nolan, 46 mins), O'Halloran, Keogh, O'Dea, Cregg (McFaul, 70 mins), Gleeson, S Quinn (Collins, 46 mins), O'Brien (Kelly, 75 mins), Rooney, Clarke (Powell, 70 mins).

Referee: V Svilokos (Croatia)