Consolation wasn't readily available to Mick McCarthy last evening as he watched the all-consuming dream of leading his squad to the World Cup finals in France fade with every passing minute.

But on two counts at least he could derive some encouragement for the formidable task of retrieving the tie in Brussels in just over a fortnight's time.

None of the players with yellow cards were booked and the word from Norwich is that Keith O'Neill is making some progress from a protracted injury.

Ironically it was Tony Cascarino, whose disciplinary record over the years has been the envy of friend and foe alike, who received the only booking in the Irish team.

With the eclipse of David Connolly, McCarthy will be monitoring O'Neill's progress carefully over the next 10 days. The Norwich striker has played only 30 minutes of international football this season, but such is Ireland's dearth of front line options that the manager may well be tempted to risk playing him.

Unfortunately David Kelly's damaged ankle is still a cause for concern and there now appears little hope of him being available for the return match.