Brian Kerr did Roy Keane a favour by sending him back to Manchester on Monday for treatment on his troublesome hamstring as this friendly was definitely one to forget.
Ireland struggled to make an impression without their absent stars Robbie Keane, Damien Duff and the returning warrior Roy Keane, who was due to end his international exile in the country where he made his competitive debut for his country 13 years ago.
The positives were the performances of Liam Miller, the Celtic midfielder heading for Manchester United in the summer, and Nottingham Forest's Andy Reid, who both looked comfortable against a very ordinary looking Poland team.
Despite the satisfaction of extending his run to just one defeat in 14 matches since taking charge at the beginning of last year, Kerr will have learnt little from his visit to the WKS Zawisza Stadium.
Despite the lacklustre football this was clearly a big occasion for the 18,000 fans inside the stadium which will host athletics' European Cup in June, and they tried to create a party atmosphere with a series of Mexican waves.
That would have suited Kerr as he wanted his squad to experience life away from the comfort zone of Lansdowne Road ahead of World Cup qualifiers in France, Switzerland, Israel, Cyprus and the Faroe Isles.
Poland had a chance to make an impact after 23 minutes when John O'Shea tripped lively winger Jacek Krzynowek just outside the box on the Irish right. Maciej Zurawski curled in the cross but Steven Reid headed the ball clear.
Shay Given had to make his first save of any sort after 38 minutes, but it was a comfortable catch as Sebastian Mila's 25-yard drive lacked any real pace.
Kerr had promised to make changes in a bid to see as many new faces as possible, but is very protective of his record of one defeat in 13 matches since taking charge last year, so with the score at 0-0 he resisted the temptation to tinker during the interval.
Ireland had a reasonable chance on the hour when the ball fell to Miller on the right edge of the box, but he snatched at it a little and fired over the bar.
Kerr decided it was time to make changes and after 64 minutes he sent on Coventry striker Graham Barrett and Hearts defender Alan Maybury for Lee and Ian
Harte.
Maybury collected the game's first caution after 69 minutes for a foul on Zurawski and from the free-kick Tomasz Hajto volleyed over. It was the last action for Given as he was replaced by Nicky Colgan of Hibs.
With 10 minutes remaining Ireland sent on Andy O'Brien and Jonathan Douglas of Blackburn for a first cap, with Gary Doherty and Andy Reid being withdrawn.
There was also a debut for Shelbourne striker Jason Byrne, a first cousin of Robbie Keane, who replaced Clinton Morrison in the final minute, although time ran out before he could get a touch.
Filed by Aidan O'Doherty
