Manager, Sean McCaffrey retained the 4-4-2 formation used in the second half of the opening game for Ireland's second qualifying fixture against Group 2 favourites Italy at the Banninkov Stadium in Kiev, where the hot sun and warm weather conditions continued on Thursday afternoon last.

Ireland again started brightly and looking much more comfortable in their revised formation put the Italian defence under early pressure. Cavan native, Cillian Sheridan who replaced Belvedere team mate Karl Byrne in the starting line up had two early shots which were both off target. On six minutes, Sheridan chased a long ball through the middle outpacing the central defender whose shirt tugging was instrumental in the subsequent collision between the Bailieborough boy and the Italian goalkeeper.

Minutes later, Donal McDermott delivered a beautiful free kick which was met by Gavin Donoghue of Sunderland whose firm header went just wide. Donoghue suffered a heart stopping incident two minutes later when a wayward Italian shot cannoned off him and went inches past the post with goalkeeper Paul Skinner beaten.

Over the next twenty minutes or so, Ireland played some fine composed football and was the better side. The hugely gifted McDermott went on one particular mesmerising run, leaving three Italian defenders in his wake but sadly fluffed his final delivery. The Italians raised their tempo briefly and a powerful left shot on thirty minutes forced Skinner to make a fine save.

Ireland responded immediately and a superb bending delivery behind the Italian defence from McDermott allowed Sheridan to again, show his determination and pace to strike a powerful shot to the net to put Ireland in front. Sadly, that was Sheridan's last act of the game as, still suffering the effects of the earlier collision; he was replaced by Terry Dixon of Tottenham Hotspur.

Regrettably, Ireland's lead survived for a mere five minutes with a free kick from the right being poorly defended allowing the Italian captain and centre back, Tagliani, to head past the helpless Skinner for the equaliser.

The early stages of the second half saw opportunities at both ends with Cherry Orchard's Michael Daly having a header from skipper Lorcan Fitzgerald's free kick, saved. Nine minutes into the half, an Italian corner from the right was headed goal wards by their star striker Pasquato of Juventus, but Skinner managed to turn the ball round the post. Ireland survived the resultant left side corner which was again met by an Italian head and just grazed the crossbar.

Ireland responded in kind, with a McDermott corner being met by Donoghue but his header was saved. On fifty seven minutes Karl Byrne replaced the weary Crystal Palace youngster Tom Lyons up front. Exchanges continued to be fairly even with Ireland's best opportunity falling to Graham Carey who shot over the crossbar.

Twenty minutes from the end, disaster befell Ireland when from their own left wing corner, the ball was cleared to midfield and a pair of Italians players linked beautifully to create a comfortable goal for Pasquato to put the Italians in front. Lifted by the goal the Italians attacked again and another good effort from Pasquato went just wide.

Ireland did not allow their heads to drop and inspired by the midfield industry of Michael Daly, who repeatedly broke up Italian movements, equalised with twelve minutes to go. A slide rule Carey pass released Dixon and the youngest member of the squad was emphatic with his finish. The goal was greeted with thunderous applause from the small contingent of Irish supporters, not least, Terry's dad Darren whose raucous support almost shuddered the buildings of Kiev.

The remainder of the game was hugely combative but fairly even with Ireland enduring one primary moment of concern when a high ball into the box was headed to and fro by the Italians, who had a marked height advantage all over the pitch, but was eventually cleared. Another Cherry Orchard youngster, Stephen Lawless replaced his injured club mate, the splendid Michael Daly for the final minutes of a well merited draw.

Host nation Ukraine defeated Latvia 1-0 in the other Group encounter and Ireland now require a draw against Latvia to guarantee progress to the next phase.

Team:
Paul Skinner (Glasgow Celtic);
Andrew Callaghan (Millwall), Gavin Donoghue (Sunderland), Garry Breen (Manchester City), Lorcan Fitzgerald (West Ham United);
Paul Cahillane (Glasgow Celtic), Michael Daly (Cherry Orchard), Graham Carey (Glasgow Celtic), Donal McDermott (Manchester City);
Tom Lyons (Crystal Palace), Cillian Sheridan (Belvedere).
Substitutes: Terry Dixon (Tottenham Hotspur) for Sheridan 32 minutes, Karl Byrne (Belvedere) for Lyons 57 minutes, Stephen Lawless (Cherry Orchard) for Daly 78 minutes.