The goalless draw in Aarhus will provide a very short highlights reel, but it was a night to remember for defender Enda Stevens.
The 28-year-old left-back has performed consistently well at club level for Sheffield United, but has had to wait for his competitive debut under Martin O’Neill.
The Dubliner, who has played in a wing-back role for the past 18 months with the Blades, was given the same role in Aarhus alongside the back three in defence and admitted it was a special moment to be told he’d be starting the League of Nations clash.
"I was delighted to get the nod," the former Shamrock Rovers player told RTÉ Sport. "It’s an opportunity to show what I can do and hopefully I will get more caps."
Once again Ireland were found wanting on the front foot. A clean sheet was welcomed, especially by O’Neill in his post-match comments, but it concludes a challenging 2018 with just one win in nine games.
With relegation to the third tier of the competition confirmed before tonight’s dead rubber, the visitors did pick up just a second point and Stevens admitted a Christian Eriksen-led Denmark was a difficult proposition.
"It’s a step-up. They are a good team with a lot of creative players. They move the ball really well, but we stuck in at it. We were hoping to maybe snatch a goal on the break or create something from a set-piece, but it wasn’t to be.
"It was hard graft for a lot of the game, but it’s a clean sheet and something to build on."
"I’m positive we have a good enough squad to start winning games. We’re kind of waiting for it to click"
On the back of a number of lethargic displays, O’Neill and his management team face the prospect of increased scrutiny and criticism over the winter months.
Stevens however sees light at the end of the tunnel.
"We’ll just keep grinding away. I’m positive we have a good enough squad to start winning games. We’re kind of waiting for it to click."
