The Republic of Ireland were left to rue what might have been after being held to a 0-0 draw by Luxembourg in their final competitive match of the June international window. Despite dominating the second half, creating numerous chances, and being denied by the woodwork on two separate occasions, Ireland could not find a breakthrough at the Stade de Luxembourg.

In a team showing five changes from the previous friendly, Max O’Leary was handed a long-awaited senior debut in goal six years after his first call-up, while Killian Phillips earned his first start.

After a cagey opening period, it was Luxembourg who threatened first. Gerson Rodrigues flashed an effort wide before Danel Sinani’s curling strike from distance forced a superb fingertip save from the debutant O'Leary.

Ireland's best moment of the half arrived just before the break. A Will Smallbone free-kick was met by Dara O'Shea, whose header found Nathan Collins at the back post. The defender's powerful connection beat the keeper but agonisingly struck the upright and stayed out.

Ireland emerged for the second half with renewed purpose. Kasey McAteer fired a warning shot just wide before a golden opportunity fell his way in the 52nd minute. Unmarked at the back post, he met Ryan Manning’s excellent cross, and the resulting goalmouth scramble saw Troy Parrott’s close-range effort smothered by keeper Anthony Moris.

The visitors continued to push. In the 65th minute, Parrott thought he had broken the deadlock with a clever chip over Moris, only to be correctly denied by the offside flag.

The defining moment of Ireland's night of frustration came with just three minutes of normal time remaining. A flowing attack found substitute Jack Taylor on the edge of the area. His first touch was perfect and his powerful, goal-bound shot cannoned back off the crossbar with the keeper beaten.

Despite the stalemate, Jason Knight was a standout performer with an energetic display in midfield. The match also saw a late debut for Stade de Reims’ John Joe Patrick Finn in the 90th minute. Ireland will now look ahead to September, when their World Cup Qualification campaign begins against Hungary at the Aviva Stadium.

Luxembourg: Pereira (GK); Korac, Jans © (Thill 62), Carlson (Gerson 89), Bohnert (Pinto 62); Barreiro, Dzogovic; Sinani, Dardari (Curci 76), Rodrigues (Veiga 82); Moreira (Pina Duarte 89).
Subs not used: Barrela, Fox, Mahmutovic, Selimovic, Videira.

Republic of Ireland: O'Leary (GK); O'Shea, Collins, O'Brien; Brady (Manning 21), Phillips (Ebosele 56), Knight (Patrick Finn 90), Smallbone (Taylor 56), McAteer (Doherty 76); Ferguson (Idah 76), Parrott.
Subs not used: Kelleher, Keeley, Omobamidele, Moran, Scales, Lawal.

Booked: Moreira, Sinani (Luxembourg); Ferguson, Parrott (Republic of Ireland).

Referee: Stefan Ebner (AUT).

Player of the Match: Jason Knight (Republic of Ireland).