Austria - 3 Republic of Ireland - 3Under-21 International: Don Givens' Irish Under-21s surrendered a three-goal lead in the final 28 minutes as they had to settle for a draw in a friendly in Kindberg-Styria last night.
Ireland appeared to be coasting having run up a 2-0 lead inside the opening 16 minutes.
Shaun Byrne shot home the first on 12 minutes after the industry of Andy Reid and Liam Miller set him up. Michael Doyle played a short corner to Thomas Butler to cross for Paul Heffernan to head the second.
Nottingham Forest winger Reid appeared to seal the win when he added the third on 58 minutes. He drilled the ball home following substitute Brian O'Callaghan's free kick.
A goal within four minutes from an Andreas Lasnik shot gave Austria hope, however. The visitors came under severe pressure late on after full back Patrik Pircher headed home a second goal from Andreas Ivanschitz' corner on 80 minutes.
Joachim Parapatits completed the Austrian revival when he collected a loose ball and shot home the equaliser two minutes from time.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Stack (Arsenal); Shelley (Bohemians), O'Shea (Manchester Utd), Goodwin (Celtic), Foy (Nottingham Forst); Byrne (West Ham Utd), Miller (Celtic), Doyle (Celtic); Butler (Sunderland), Heffernan (Notts County), Reid (Nottingham Forest). Subs: O'Callaghan (Barnsley) for Shelley (28 mins); Cash (Nottingham Forest) for Heffernan (50 mins); Keane (Preston North End) for Doyle (78 mins).
