Republic of Ireland 0-0 Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland couldn't make the most of their dominance as they were held to a goalless draw by the Republic in a friendly game at the Aviva.

Their best chance of the opening period was created by two former Crusaders wingers in the 14th minute.

Stuart Dallas burst down the left and squared it to Gavin Whyte, who was closed down by man-of-the-match Darren Randolph just as he pulled the trigger.

The Republic of Ireland's Shane Duffy then tested Bailey Peacock-Farrell with an awkward header that needed tipped over the bar, before opposing centre back Craig Cathcart scuffed wide for the visitors.

The home side's cleanest chance of the first half fell to to Darragh Lenihan, but he could only head right at Peacock-Farrell on 35, and James McClean smashed an ambitious volley miles over the bar shortly afterward.

As the opening period drew to a close, the visitors were the more creative side, albeit limited to taking shots from distance through both Dallas and fullback Michael Smith.

The second half started quietly, and it took until the hour for McClean's ball into the box to cause some problems, but Callum Robinson couldn't make a clean connection with the ball, turning it high and wide.

Northern Ireland saw a great chance literally fall at the feet of Liam Boyce on 69 after Randolph parried Smith's volleyed cross, but the former Cliftonville striker couldn't react quickly enough to get the shot away.

Just 3 minutes later, Northern Ireland substitute Jordan Jones stole the ball from a defender and found himself clean through on goal with only Randolph to beat, but the big keeper stuck out a leg and diverted his shot wide.

That was to be as good as it got for either side, as the game petered out into a draw that will have left neither satisfied by the result.