Poland deny Ireland morale-boasting win with late leveller

Mateusz Klich’s late strike denied the Republic of Ireland a morale-boosting victory after what has been a tumultuous week for Martin O’Neill’s side.

Following a 4-0 loss to Wales in Cardiff, build-up to the match in Wroclaw was dominated by a leaked Whatsapp audio message, which saw Stephen Ward describe a row between assistant Roy Keane and players Jonathan Walters and Harry Arter.

Ireland boss O’Neill was forced to play down Ward’s version of events as he sought to focus on the Poland friendly, in which he made six changes.

An experimental Ireland side took the lead eight minutes into the second half, with Millwall forward Aiden O’Brien heading in from Callum O’Dowda’s cross on his debut.

Their lead was not to last, however, with Klich playing a neat one-two with Arkadiusz Milik before slotting it home.

After Whatsapp-gate and the 4-0 loss to Wales, O’Neill will be relieved with how proceedings played out in Poland.

The build-up was boisterous, but on the pitch they were sound defensively – despite the late equaliser – and though chances were few and far between, O’Brien was clinical when it mattered, benefitting from O’Dowda’s brilliant ball in.

No doubt the focus will switch back to the unrest, but for 90 minutes at least, O’Neill had something to somewhat smile about.

Callum O’Dowda – The Bristol City winger was Ireland’s brightest spark in Poland, putting in a number of dangerous crosses, and getting his reward after 53 minutes when O’Brien met his pin-point ball in.

Poland: Szczesny 6, Reca 6, Kedziora 6, Glik 6, Kaminski 6, Linetty 6, Krychowiak 5, Blazczykowski 6, Kurzawa 5, Milik 7, Piatek 6. Subs: Kadzior 6, Bednarek 6, Klich 7, Pietrzak 6, Szymanski 6, Frankowski 6

Ireland: Randolph 6, Christie 6, Keogh 6, Egan 7, Long 5, Stevens 5, Hendrick 6, Williams 6, O'Dowda 7, Robinson 6, O'Brien 7. Subs: Meyler 6, Doherty 6, Hourihane 6, Burke 6, Horgan 6, Judge 6

11’ - BAD MISS! Oh that should really be the opening for Poland. A long throw is flicked on by Krychowiak to Milik, who somehow heads wide when it looked easier to score.

36’ - A CHANCE! Of sorts. It's a routine save for Randolph, who is grateful to see Milik's shot from 20 yards fired straight at him. A save is a save.

49’ - SAVE! A first attempt on target from Ireland, and it falls for O'Dowda on the edge of the box, but his curled effort is too close to Szczesny.

53’ - GOAL! Well, well, well! Ireland take the lead through O'Brien! O'Dowda's cross is flicked in by O'Brien on his debut. What a dream come true for the Millwall forward.

87’ - GOAL! Poland deny Ireland late on! Or so it seems... Klich levels for the hosts after playing a smart one-two with Milik before he finds the far corner. Just when it looked like Ireland would take home victory...

Ireland remain without a win in Poland since 1976.

Poland have lost just one of their last nine matches against Republic of Ireland (W2 D6 L1).