Ireland Men’s Under-21s had to settle for a 0-0 draw against Qatar Men’s Under-23s in their final friendly of the June international window.

Ireland created the majority of the chances of the game but the Qataris frustrated the young Irish side who were unable to convert their possession into goals.

Cillian Murphy was introduced as a second-half substitute in doing so became the youngest player since Evan Ferguson to be capped at Under-21s level aged 16 years, 10 months and 18 days.

Ireland started the game brightest with the chance coming after three minutes when Sean Keogh’s half volley just flashed wide of the post.

A few minutes later Ireland opened up Qatar this time patient play allowed Kian McMahon-Brown down the left and his cross fell on the head of Naj Razi who could only head wide.

Qatar had their own chance shortly after. Mohammad Khaled Gouda was allowed space to get an attempt at goal that which narrowly went past the far post

On the half-hour mark Younes Yasser Mohammady  worked space for himself on the right before curling a left footed attempt just over Conor Walsh’s bar.

Razi and Tommy Lonergan linked up and it was Lonergan’s cross that almost found the outstretched leg on Keogh at the back post.

In the second half, Jamie Mullins and Aaron Maguire were introduced and Ireland had an early chance.  Lonergan was set free down the right, he played in Lipsiuc whose square ball across the face of goal evaded Razi. Keogh’s attempt from the cross was well held by the Qatar keeper.

With 15 minutes remaining Ireland continued to knock on the door.  Mullins delivered a tantalising free-kick that was just headed over by skipper for the day Jacob Devaney.

Substitute Murphy, in a bright cameo, stole the ball off the Qatar full back and managed to fire off a snap shot that was well saved by the Momammed Osman.

Perhaps the best chance of the latter stages came from a Sean Grehan long throw that was flicked on by David Okagbue and fell invitingly into the Qatar six yard box however there wasn’t a white jersey to prod the ball over the line and the danger was cleared.

Ireland: Walsh (Maguire, 46’), Lipsiuc, Gallagher (Grehan, 65’), Okagbue, C. O’Sullivan, Keogh,  J. O’Sullivan (Kelly, 80’),  Devaney (C), McMahon-Brown (Mullins, 46’), Razi (Murphy, 65’), Lonergan (Noonan, 65’).

Qatar: Mohammed Osman, Magdi Elamin, Elawad Hussein, Mohammad Shahabi, Ibrahim Taha, Khaled Gouda, Sheriff Hassan, Nabil Irfan, Hani Faragalia, Anad Aldiri. Substitutes: Faouzi Lengliz (GK), Ali Chakeri, Fadi Eljaquini, Reda Salem, Elsayed Saleh, Babiker, Daros, Jarrar, Alawi Alyahiri, Bakri Babiker (GK), Mohd Nouman, Mohammed Alhausawi.