Brian Kerr's unbeaten run as Ireland manager continues - but only just. Substitute Richard Dunne's late equaliser stretched the Irish manager's unbeaten run to nine games, after second half goals from Sukur and Yilmaz cancelled out David Connolly's 35 minute opener for Ireland.
Overall the game was a far livelier affair than Saturday’s clash with Russia, although it was the visitors who showed much of the early inventiveness. The Turkish midfield quartet of Emre, Tugay, Sas and Tayfun linked impressively in the opening minutes, as Ireland struggled to get any sort of grip on the game.
Tayfun had a rising shot from 20 yards which worried Irish keeper Nicky Colgan, while moments later Emre sent in a free-kick which caused a brief panic in the Irish defence, before Steve Finnan eventually lumbered the ball clear. Much of Ireland’s early defensive efforts smacked of desperation but importantly, they didn’t concede a goal and just after the half-hour mark, they reaped the rewards at the other end.
From what appeared a nothing ball from Finnan, David Connolly harassed Turkish defender Alpay off the ball, and after working a gap for himself 12 yards from goal, the on-form West Ham striker curled a precision shot to the net past Rustu.
The goal may have been against the run of play – before that Ireland had looked as insipid as they had on Saturday – but Brian Kerr’s men could have added to their tally twice in the minutes after Connolly’s effort. Firstly Gary Doherty forced a great save from Rustu after Alpay had dawdled on the ball once more, and from the resulting corner, Duff’s shot from the edge of the box had the Turkish keeper scrambling to keep the ball out. Ireland looked like a side re-born.
But appearances can often be deceiving and the natural order was restored soon after half-time. With Reid on for Duff, Turkey began to dominate and on 51 minutes, Sukur nodded the equaliser after dangerous cross from Ergun. From here on the visitors dominated but thanks to their substitute goalkeeper Karadeniz – on for the injured Rustu – Ireland still had chances to score.
With his first touch of the ball, Karadeniz almost allowed a speculative Kevin Kilbane effort to cross the line, and from there on in, Connolly, Doherty and Reid all nearly profited from the keeper’s jitters. But the Irish attacks were far and few between over the course of the half, and with four minutes left on the clock, Turkey took a deserved lead.
Ergun, a half-time substitute, put in another tempting cross from the left and with the Irish defence napping, Okon Yilmaz was on hand to stroke the ball home from 10 yards out. However Brian Kerr’s side are nothing if not gritty, and in the second minute of injury time, substitute Richard Dunne prodded the ball home from close range after a goalmouth scramble.
It was probably harsh on Turkey but the 27,000 present at Lansdowne Road weren't complaining.
Filed by Ciaran Cronin
