Cathal O'Sullivan comes closest on first start but Ireland U21s held by Qatar U23s

FIRST START: Cathal O'Sullivan of Republic of Ireland in action against Ahmed Reyad A Fadlelmula of Qatar during the U21 international friendly. Pic: Gerry Scully/Sportsfile.

Republic of Ireland Under-21s were held to a 0-0 draw against Qatar Under-23s in Vrbovec.

The game was the Republic's second friendly after being beaten 1-0 by Croatia on Friday and the Qatar clash saw Andrew Wogan, Jacob Devaney, Cian Dillon and Cathal O'Sullivan all make their first starts for the under-21s.

Jamie Mullins had an early effort miss the target as Ireland started well and they came close again when Cork City's Cathal O'Sullivan smashed a shot off the post.

Jad Hakiki's effort was then cleared off the line as the score remained goalless at half-time.

The Republic of Ireland U21 team that faced Qatar. PicL Gerry Scully/Sportsfile.

They had another great opportunity through Hakiki again after the break when his effort rattled the post, but the game fizzled out into a draw.

The Republic are back in international action in September when they begin their qualification campaign for the European Championship.

Republic of Ireland U21: Wogan, Slater, Otegbayo, Grehan, Mullins, McJannet, Vaughan, Devaney, Cathal O'Sullivan,Dillon, Hakiki.

Subs: Jauny, Barrett, Maguire, Curtis, Alex Murphy, Okagbue, Cory O'Sullivan, Adam Murphy, O'Mahony, O'Brien-Whitmarsh, Gardner, Davis, Lipsiuc.

Qatar U23: Ali Mohammed, Chasar, Al Oui, Reyad, Hagana, Said, Salem, Surag, Al Sharshani, Hussain,Jamshid.

Subs: Ghanem Al Minhali, Abdulaziz Mohammed, Hamza, Shahabi, Faragalla, Fadi, Khaled Gouda, Osman, Gamer, Tamer, Moath Taha, Haider Dib.