Troy Parrott had two goals disallowed as the Republic of Ireland played out a stalemate against North Macedonia on the night on which they had hoped to book a trip to the World Cup finals.
Five days after their dreams came to an end for another four years in Prague, Ireland drew 0-0 with the Macedonians in a friendly encounter neither side wanted as the Czech Republic and Denmark fought for the big prize.
Even a third successive home victory for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign would have provided scant consolation for Thursday night’s disappointment but Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men had to make do with a disappointing draw.
No goals but another stellar performance from our number 7⃣🇮🇪
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 31, 2026
Troy Parrott is tonight's Sky Player of the Match 👏 pic.twitter.com/2he6zgr5Mi
AZ Alkmaar striker Parrott came closest to breaking the deadlock as 37-year-old defender Seamus Coleman received a standing ovation from a crowd of 39,560 at the Aviva Stadium when he was replaced during the second half of what could yet prove to be his final appearance for his country.
Nevertheless, the squad will reconvene for a series of friendlies at the end of the season ahead of next season’s Nations League campaign and later Euro 2028 qualification having restored a measure of pride and established a momentum they hope will serve them well when they return to competitive action.
The hosts went on to the offensive from the off, although they were unable to find the final ball to allow either Parrott or Chiedozie Ogbene to threaten.
John Egan could not direct an 11th-minute corner at goal and Ogbene saw his snapshot deflected over three minutes later, but goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher had to parry Enis Bardhi’s 21st-minute free-kick after it flicked off the defensive wall, with Bardhi volleying high over after the resulting corner had been only half-cleared.
Macedonia keeper Stole Dimitrievski saved Parrott’s 23rd-minute header comfortably after Dara O’Shea and Finn Azaz had sparked a concerted attack, and Azaz failed to make the most of a free-kick two minutes later after he had been tripped just outside the penalty area.
Parrott was played into a promising position by Knight nine minutes before the break, only to miss the target by some distance.
The in-form striker – he scored his sixth goal in three games in Prague – might have done better again two minutes later after Azaz’s clipped pass had caused problems for the Macedonian defence but he snatched at his attempt and fired high and wide.
Parrott twice had the ball in the net as time ran down but an offside flag stalled his celebrations on each occasion.
Ireland were unfortunate not to take the lead with 52 minutes gone when Azaz accepted Seamus Coleman’s pass and found Parrott, who turned smartly before shooting against the upright.
Azaz curled an effort just wide and Tihomir Kostadinov denied Parrott a clear run on goal as the hosts began to turn the screw but it was veteran Coleman’s 61st-minute departure as Hallgrimsson made changes which attracted the biggest cheer of the night to that point.
Wholesale changes did not help the flow of the game, which rather petered out as the whistle approached, although Ireland substitute Johnny Kenny passed up a glorious opportunity to win it at the end with a weak shot at the keeper.
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