DEAF SPORTS Football deaflympics

Ireland played out a lively goalless draw against Great Britain (GB) this morning with plenty of incidents and tempers as the referee handed out three 3 cards, two for our top players, Watson and O Donnell and one for GB Monksfield.

Both sides started off a nervous but steady game giving each other space and not taking any chances and Wynne could have opened the scoring for the Irish inside six minutes, but sent his header over the goal bar.

Ireland enjoyed the greater share of ball possession in the first 15 minutes of the game and looked menacing in the opposition's half, twice coming close with two sterling opportunities from Johnson and Watson.

Some fashion of heading from both sides could have taken the lead when GB failed to hit the target with a free header followed by an open space opportunity when Deaflympics eighth-timer Foy sent in a high ball but Donegal man O Donnell couldn't keep his header under the crossbar.

With almost few minutes before half time, Byrne fired a Rooney-esque effort to see it go harmlessly over the bar to remain at 0-0.

Almost immediately in the second half, an inswinging corner taken GB player from the left by-line was saved by Goalie Walsh and Burns passed up an opportunity to open the scoring after 62 minutes when GB right midfielder headed into his path, but the midfielder could only drag his shot wide from 15 yards.

As the game picked up, Moore was sent on as a substitute replacing Johnson.

As things became intense, an appeal for a free kick was waved away when Dunne fell under pressure from a GB Midfielder challenge. However a chance came begging when Foy was felled from 25 yards on the edge of the penalty box. The resulting free kick was crossed over by Foy and Byrne curled in a superb shot missing to the top left of the goal.

We had plenty of chances to put the game beyond the GB when Johnson fired a tempting cross to open Sinclair to attack on goal from just outside the penalty box which went wide of the right-hand upright.

Giglione then sent Maguire on, replacing Wynne

Poor discipline leaded Watson and O Donnell seeing red; Watson for an unsporting behaviour after he gave a sneaky punch to a substitute GB player and a meaty tackle by O Donnell which was considered a beautiful tackle but not for the referee.

Cards were flying out of the referee's pocket giving GB Naylor a yellow and Monskfeild red leaving 10-9 men playing to the end.

With 10 minutes left to play, Walsh dived and saved a left hand attempted goal in the penalty box and at this stage it looked on course to be a draw between both sides.

The game picked up some pace in the final phase, as both sides chased a goal in the dying minutes, but it ended with a share of the spoils when Maguire fired in a effort from 10 yards but it hit the goal post by an inch too wide!

The consequences for the dismissals of Watson and O'Donnell means a one match ban which sees them unavailable for next game against Japan on Tuesday 8th but the team are still in a good position in top of group with 3 points. GB are also on 3 points but Ireland have superior goal difference.

"We gave a good tactical defence against GB, but I think the 3 players sent off should have not happened. The referees ruined the game. But I was quiet please we worked hard with decent plays- gave a good match-winning or not"- says Captain Dunne