Players' reaction:  One or two of those who missed the trip may not have been quite so positive had they been around to reflect on yesterday's match afterwards but the young and relatively inexperienced Irish players who battled their way to a goalless draw in Poland yesterday left the stadium last night satisfied that they had done well in what had been difficult circumstances.Emmet Malone

"I think that you've got to remember," said Andy Reid, "that there was anything up to six or seven potential starters missing from the squad and a lot of young players have come in, acquitted themselves brilliantly and come away with a draw.

"It wasn't the best of games but then you wouldn't expect it to have been with the pitch and that but the lads dug in and I think we have a lot to be pleased with."

On a personal level Reid admitted he had started slowly. "I thought I did better in the second half, though. There are a lot of things that I still have to work on to improve in my game but that's what I intend to do. On balance I was happy with the way this evening went for me and I think the other young lads did well too."

Mark Kinsella, the only one of the midfielders with any substantial experience, insisted the referee had hindered the Irish as they attempted to get into the game in the second half.

"It's hard when you're playing against 14 men," he said, referring to the opposition and the three match officials. "I thought I did okay, just trying to get my foot on the ball and get us passing but games like tonight's are about the future and the likes of Liam Miller. You have to have games like this under your belt before you can take on important qualifiers and I thought he did very well."

For Gary Doherty there was obvious satisfaction with a clean sheet and another game notched up in his preferred position of central defence.

"It's the second time in a row I've started there for Ireland and the first real season I've had the chance to settle in there so it's been another good game for me."

Shelbourne's Jason Byrne, who with Jonathan Douglas of Blackburn Rovers followed in the footsteps of Mick McCarthy, Mark Lawrenson and Packie Bonner by making his senior international debut against the Poles, left looking pleased.

"It was only a few minutes," beamed the 26-year-old Dubliner as he made his way towards the team bus, "but I enjoyed every minute of it. It was a great experience for me and I think it's great for the Eircom League. All I can do now is go back to Shelbourne, keep doing what I do and hope my chance comes around again."