Italy - 0 Republic of Ireland - 0: Seán McCaffrey's much depleted Ireland belied their inexperience and a well-organised, disciplined display got its due reward as they held a talented Italian side to a scoreless draw in Corato, southern Italy.

Italy showed good technique and fluidity but were left frustrated by a hard-working Irish side that never succumbed to the finesse of their opponents, who they meet again tomorrow.

Irish goalkeeper Darren Randolph made good saves either side of half-time, both from Roma-based Alessio Cerci, to stymie an Italian side full of promise, but ultimately lacking real substance in the final third of the pitch.

Ireland slowly grew in stature as the game went on and began to stretch the Italians at the back.

John Paul Kelly turned a Michael Collins cross round a post on the hour. Darron Gibson was then narrowly wide with a free-kick before Andy Keogh wasted perhaps Ireland's best chance nine minutes from time when lobbing over the bar.

ITALY: Virgili (Parma); Marzoratti (AC Milan), Costa (Reggiana), De Martino (AS Roma), Masiello (Juventus), Esposito (Lecce), Virga (AS Roma), Morosini (Atalanta), Volpato (Juventus), Cerci (AS Roma), De Ceglie (Juventus). Subs: Abate (Napoli) and Perna (Ternana) for Volpato and Cerci (both 57 mins), Lazzari (Cisco Lodigiani) and De Falco (Fiorentina) for Morosini and De Martino (both 65 mins), Giani (Inter Milan) for De Ceglie (89 mins)

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Randolph (Charlton Ath); Dicker (UCD), O'Dea (Arsenal), R Keogh (Stoke City), Morris (Leeds Utd); Collins (Huddersfield Town), Gibson (Manchester Utd), Kelly (unattached), Foley (Aston Villa); A Keogh (Bury), Hayes (Reading). Subs: Binnion (Sheffield Utd) and O'Carroll (Celtic) for Morris and Hayes (both half-time).

Referee: A Damato (Barletta).