Led by an incredible display by Richard Dunne and a marvelous exhibit of goalkeeping by Shay Given, (pictured) Ireland somehow managed a 0-0 draw against Russia in Moscow on Tuesday.

Russia had several open goal chances but missed them all while Ireland had only one good shot on goal the entire 90 minutes

However, Richard Dunne in particular and Shay Given played powerfully to keep Ireland in the hunt for a place in the European Nations finals next summer.

The draw leaves Ireland two points behind Russia with two games to play.

Slovakia is the other team in the group challenging Ireland and with one team to qualify automatically and one to reach a playoff for a final place Ireland still stands a chance.

After the game, Irish manager Giovanni Trapattonni was happy

"They had many chances, but our defence was fantastic, Shay Given, Richard Dunne and O'Dea... "this is a good point because they they have another game against Slovakia.

He added: "I think Russia have a very different game against Slovakia. But at the moment it is better to look at ourselves. Armenia and Andorra, we must believe in the result we had here."

Hero Richard Dunne stated.

“It was a tough game and we knew we had to come here and do something similar to what we did in Paris,” he said. “I think it’s seven games without a goal now and hopefully it’s kept us in the competition.

He ended the game cut and bleeding when he fell on the training track head first after making a tackle but added: “I take bangs and knocks all the time in games, but to come here and get a point is a good result. We knuckled down and gave a performance I think we can be proud off."