Eamonn Sweeney: Familiar tale unfolds – but at least Ireland’s dreams are still intact

Eamonn Sweeney: Familiar tale unfolds – but at least Ireland’s dreams are still intact

Late equaliser should not mask the deficiencies of the performance against Hungary

Ireland's Sammie Szmodics is tackled by Attila Mocsi of Hungary during the World Cup qualifier at the Aviva Stadium. Photo: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

It was deja vu all over again at the Aviva. A draw which could have been a loss in a game which needed to be won. A last-ditch operation whose nail-biting nature camouflages to some extent the flaws in the performance.

We’ve been here so often before. Mick McCarthy’s reign was full of these games, Ireland being outplayed and falling behind before a late goal rescued a result against opposition lured into defending deep as crosses rained into the box.