International Friendlies
Republic of IrelandRepublic of Ireland0EnglandEngland0

Republic of Ireland 0-0 England

By Chris BevanBBC Sport in Dublin
England striker Wayne Rooney speaks to the referee during the match against the Republic of Ireland
Rooney remains on 47 goals for England
  • First game between teams in Dublin for 20 years
  • Rooney stays two behind England goals record of 49
  • Raheem Sterling regularly booed by fans
  • Leicester's Jamie Vardy makes England debut

England's first visit to Dublin since the riot that caused the abandonment of their infamous 1995 friendly ended in a dismal draw with the Republic of Ireland.

The Football Association had written to all 3,000 travelling England fans asking them to behave in the Irish capital and any fears of more trouble were unfounded as the friendly was played out in a peaceful atmosphere.

Both anthems were immaculately observed before kick-off, and the only sign of any tension came when some Ireland supporters whistled as England fans sang God Save The Queen during the game.

The game itself was a massive disappointment, however. England and Ireland were using the game to prepare for their Euro 2016 qualifiers next week but it was almost totally devoid of the intensity they can expect in those competitive encounters.

England manager Roy Hodgson (left) and his backroom team
England manager Roy Hodgson (left) will lead his side against Slovenia in a Euro 2016 qualifier on 14 June

It took England 44 minutes to muster an effort at goal, when Adam Lallana fired over from distance, and they did not force Keiren Westwood into a save until Wayne Rooney's tame free-kick just before the hour mark.

Rooney had few opportunities to get any nearer to Sir Bobby Charlton's goalscoring record of 49, but his below-par display was summed up by a terrible touch when he was put through on goal.

Raheem Sterling also had an ineffective afternoon and could not escape his contract issues at Liverpool either, with some fans booing him until he was replaced midway through the second half.

Ireland, who host Scotland here on Saturday in a game that is crucial to their chances of reaching France, fared slightly better when they came forward.

But Daryl Murphy wasted their best first half chances, firing wide when the ball dropped to him in the box and failing to find the target with a header from Seamus Coleman's free-kick.

That sort of finishing meant England keeper Joe Hart's only save of note came when Ireland substitute Jon Walters fired straight at him midway through the second half.

A flurry of changes from both teams followed, including the introduction of Jamie Vardy, who replaced England captain Rooney to make his international debut.

Sadly for Vardy, the former Stocksbridge Steels striker did not get a single sniff in front of goal during his 16 minutes on the pitch and Hodgson will have learned little about his credentials at this level.

Few of Vardy's team-mates did anything of note either. Andros Townsend tested Ireland's substitute keeper Shay Given with a low drive before the end but that was the best England could muster in front of goal.

England's wait for a first win over Ireland since 1985 goes on but they did at least extend their unbeaten run since last summer's World Cup to nine games.

However, this lacklustre display did little to reflect the improvements they have made in recent months and Hodgson must hope it is not repeated when they play Lithuania next weekend.

England winger Raheem Sterling (right) and Republic of Ireland's Robbie Brady
England winger Sterling wants to leave Liverpool and was booed at the Aviva Stadium
Former Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton (left) and centre-back Paul McGrath
Former Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton (left) and centre-back Paul McGrath were in attendance
Jamie Vardy (left) came on for Wayne Rooney to make his England debut
Vardy (left) scored five goals as he helped Leicester City stay in the Premier League

Line-ups

Republic of Ireland

Formation 4-4-2

  • 23WestwoodSubstituted forGivenat 61'minutes
  • 2Coleman
  • 4O'SheaSubstituted forMcShaneat 72'minutes
  • 3Wilson
  • 19Brady
  • 24Hendrick
  • 8McCarthyBooked at 44minsSubstituted forMcCleanat 45'minutes
  • 6WhelanSubstituted forArterat 63'minutes
  • 7McGeady
  • 25McGoldrickSubstituted forLongat 45'minutes
  • 21MurphySubstituted forWaltersat 56'minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Forde
  • 5McShane
  • 9Long
  • 10Pearce
  • 11McClean
  • 12Meyler
  • 13Arter
  • 14Walters
  • 15Christie
  • 16Given
  • 17Ward
  • 18Quinn
  • 20Hoolahan
  • 22Keogh
  • 26Randolph

England

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Hart
  • 2Jones
  • 5CahillSubstituted forJagielkaat 74'minutes
  • 6Smalling
  • 3Bertrand
  • 4Henderson
  • 7WilshereSubstituted forBarkleyat 66'minutes
  • 8Milner
  • 9SterlingSubstituted forTownsendat 66'minutes
  • 10RooneySubstituted forVardyat 75'minutes
  • 11LallanaSubstituted forWalcottat 82'minutes

Substitutes

  • 12Gibbs
  • 13Green
  • 14Walcott
  • 15Jagielka
  • 16Delph
  • 17Townsend
  • 18Austin
  • 19Cleverley
  • 20Barkley
  • 21Vardy
  • 22Clyne
  • 23Heaton
Referee:
Arnold Hunter
Attendance:
43,486

Match Stats

Home TeamRepublic of IrelandAway TeamEngland
Possession
Home37%
Away63%
Shots
Home8
Away14
Shots on Target
Home1
Away3
Corners
Home7
Away5
Fouls
Home16
Away12

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Republic of Ireland 0, England 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Republic of Ireland 0, England 0.

  3. Post update

    Phil Jagielka (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Jonathan Walters (Republic of Ireland).

  5. Post update

    Delay over. They are ready to continue.

  6. Post update

    Delay in match Jonathan Walters (Republic of Ireland) because of an injury.

  7. Post update

    Hand ball by Andros Townsend (England).

  8. Post update

    Attempt missed. Ross Barkley (England) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Andros Townsend.

  9. Substitution

    Substitution, England. Theo Walcott replaces Adam Lallana.

  10. Post update

    Foul by James Milner (England).

  11. Post update

    Jonathan Walters (Republic of Ireland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  12. Post update

    Attempt saved. Andros Townsend (England) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ross Barkley.

  13. Post update

    Attempt missed. Ross Barkley (England) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by James Milner.

  14. Post update

    Attempt saved. Chris Smalling (England) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by James Milner with a cross.

  15. Post update

    Attempt missed. Phil Jones (England) header from very close range misses to the left. Assisted by Andros Townsend with a cross following a corner.

  16. Post update

    Corner, England. Conceded by Robbie Brady.

  17. Substitution

    Substitution, England. Jamie Vardy replaces Wayne Rooney.

  18. Substitution

    Substitution, England. Phil Jagielka replaces Gary Cahill.

  19. Post update

    Attempt missed. Harry Arter (Republic of Ireland) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.

  20. Substitution

    Substitution, Republic of Ireland. Paul McShane replaces John O'Shea.

Scores, Results & Fixtures

Sunday 7th June 2015