Ireland brought their 2023 season to an end with a 1-1 draw at home to New Zealand on Tuesday evening.
Adam Idah gave the hosts the lead midway through the first half after pouncing on a defensive mistake, before Mark Garbett curled home an equaliser on the hour mark.
It could have gotten worse for Ireland late on when Mark Travers was called into action to deny Max Mata winning the game for the All Whites.
On a night where all eyes were on James McClean, including pre-match when he was honoured by supporters, Ireland struggled to get going once referee Urs Schnyder got the game under way.
The Boys in Green, who were wearing black on the evening, didn't create much but were probably deserving of their goal when it came in the 28th minute. Mark Sykes put the squeeze on Nando Pijnaker on halfway, who coughed up possession to Idah. The Norwich striker coolly slotted past Max Crocombe for his third International goal of 2023.
Instead of raising the tempo, Ireland reverted to type after the goal and it was New Zealand who finished the half he strongest, with Sarpeet Singh forcing Caoimhin Kelleher into a fine save at full stretch.
After the break it was New Zealand who played all the football, though Ireland nearly went 2-0 ahead when Jayson Molumby came close from range.
But the visitors kept pressing for the equaliser and when it came, it shocked nobody in the stadium. Even the manner wasn't surprising, yet another long-range effort beating an Irish goalkeeper all ends up.
With just over 25,000 fans in attendance, the atmosphere was extremely subdued, although McClean's emotional departure in the 65th minute coupled with Evan Ferguson's arrival perked up the less than half-full crowd.
It didn't have that effect on the players however, who appeared determined to sleepwalk to defeat. Garbett blazed over from close range with the goal at his mercy before half-time substitute Mark Travers flung himself to his left to deny Singh curling home a gorgeous strike.
The Stoke shotstopper had to be at his best late on again when he was forced into action by former Sligo star Max Mata who really should have scored.
Andy Moran's arrival on the 78th minute was greeted warmly, but the youngster struggled to get many meaningful touches. Neither did Evan Ferguson, although the Brighton star did force a decent save out of Max Crocombe with Ireland's last real attack five minutes from the conclusion.
In the end, it was the All Whites that came closest to grabbing a winner, with Max Mata and Tyler Bidon both missing good chances down the stretch.
A disappointing end to a disappointing year for Ireland and definitely not a case of saving the best performance til last in what is likely Stephen Kenny's final game in charge of the side.
Key Events
Full-time: Ireland 1-1 New Zealand
Ireland end their season with a 1-1 draw at home to New Zealand.
Ireland 1-1 New Zealand
Wonderful defensive header from Manning may well have saved a draw for Ireland.
'90
Ireland 1-1 New Zealand
Ferguson goes down easily looking for a penalty. Ref says play away, the youngster won't want to see that again.
'88
Ireland 1-1 New Zealand
Big save from Travers to keep the scores level. Sloppy from Cullen and Molumby in the middle of the park, but Travers telegraphed Mata's finish and saved well.
'79
Ireland 1-1 New Zealand
Big chance for New Zealand as former Sligo star Max Mata heads wide.
Just over 25,000 fans here this evening.
Ireland 1-1 New Zealand
The injured Doherty is replaced for the final 20 minutes by Alan Browne.
Ireland 1-1 New Zealand
The visitors think they're in front after the ball is bundled into the net following a Travers save from a stunninhg 35-yard volley. However, mercifully, the offside flag is raised.
'71
Ireland 1-1 New Zealand
McClean gets a standing ovation as he is replaced by Ryan Manning. Evan Ferguson on for Adam Idah.
'67
Ireland 1-1 New Zealand
Super stop from Travers denies Singh putting the visitors ahead.
'65
Ireland 1-0 New Zealand
Good corner from McClean finds Duffy. Tame effort from the big defender and Crocombe gathers easily.
'56
Ireland 1-0 New Zealand
More like it from Ireland. Omobamidele plays a lovely ball from the back that Idah sweeps out to Johnston. He cuts it back to Molumby, whose decent drive goes wide.
'53
Ireland 1-0 New Zealand
Big missed chance from Garbett after fine work from Singh out wide. Ireland have fallen asleep since the latter stages of the first period and need to sharpen up.
'50
Ireland 1-0 New Zealand
Second-half under way. One change at the break, Mark Travers on in goals for Kelleher.
Best images from the first half
Ireland 1-0 New Zealand
Close from the All Whites again. Cacace drifts forward and slips in Singh who blasts it into the side netting.
'45
Ireland 1-0 New Zealand
Ireland get away with one as from my vantage point Mark Sykes clearly handled a cross just now. The All Whites have gown into this game and are the better side at the moment as half-time approaches.
'41
Ireland 1-0 New Zealand
Stunning stop from Kelleher to deny Singh from levelling. Beautiful curling effort tipped behind expertly by the Liverpool understudy.
'39
Ireland 1-0 New Zealand
Duffy and Omobamidele get a little lucky after coming under pressure at the back, but a fine Doherty pass sets Molumby away. Unfortunately, the midfielder'sball is horribly overhit out of play.
'38
Ireland 1-0 New Zealand
The visitors go close through Wood. He gets his knee to a Stamenic drive and the ball narrowly deflects wide.
'35
Adam Idah celebrates breaking the deadlock
Goal! Ireland 1-0 New Zealand
Sykes steals the ball off a dawdling Pijnaker. Adam Idah latches onto it and coolly slots past Max Crocombe for his third International goal.
'28
