Ireland have ended the international season on a relative high, drawing 1-1 with Bulgaria in Sofia in World Cup qualifying. Although the result won’t put any pressure on top spot Italy – it leaves Ireland with a major advantage over Bulgaria in the race for second place. Ireland took the lead in Sofia tonight thanks to a superb Richard Dunne goal and despite injury the Manchester City defender was head and shoulders above everyone else on the field tonight.

Bulgaria 1-1 Republic of Ireland (Telkiyski 29 – Dunne 24)

Having fretted all week over the availability of some of his senior players, Irish boss Giovanni Trapattoni was able to field all of his senior stars and the first half bore a striking similarity to the last meeting between the sides when Bulgaria claimed a 1-1 draw at Croke Park. Richard Dunne gave Ireland the lead after getting on the end of Stephen Hunt’s free kick while a defensive lapse from Kevin Kilbane let Bulgaria in for an equaliser.

Ireland were much the better side in early exchanges. Hunt and Caleb Folan both forced saves low down from Bulgarian keeper Dimitar Ivankov. Irish captain Robbie Keane also went close but flicked the ball wide as he tried to spectacularly turn the ball home after 10 minutes.

The first sign of worry for Ireland came just before the 20th minute when Dimitar Berbatov headed just over from Milanov’s cross. Irish keeper Shay Given was well beaten but fortunately for Ireland, the Man Utd striker’s header grazed the net after just clearing the crossbar.

Dunne popped up for a magnificent goal on 24 minutes as he took full advantage of a lack of Bulgarian marking – breaking free in the penalty area to power home a header from Hunt’s floated free kick into the box.

Martin Petrov could have levelled almost instantly but the home side only had to wait 5 minutes for Dimitar Telkiyski to slot home after Kilbane had failed to cut out a long ball over the top.

The Irish goal had been the turning point in the first half – shocking Bulgaria into action. Dunne was forced to head behind from a Bozhinov shot and the Man City defender also had to cut out a dangerous cross into the box. His club-mate Shay Given also had to be at his best – pulling off a fantastic full length save to deny Kishishev on the stroke of half time.

An ambitious long range low shot from Keith Andrews was one of the few sights of goal Ireland saw in the second half – at least until the closing moments. However, despite plenty of possession, Bulgaria were limited to mostly long range efforts as the magnificent Dunne led his defence superbly.

Berbatov should have done better on one of the few occasions the home side had possession in the Irish box, his poor first touch letting Given fall on the ball and snuff out the danger. Sean St. Ledger made his first competitive appearance for Ireland and did well – forcing Makrieve to touch the ball behind on another Bulgarian push into the box.

With 20 minutes still on the clock Stoyanov fired over with a dangerous dipping long range shot but it proved to be the best of a handful of ambitious long range shots.

Ireland did lose both Robbie Keane and John O’Shea to injury but one of the the second half substitutes Aiden McGeady went close to grabbing a winner as he drilled wide in stoppage time.

More bravery from the Irish defence saw Bulgaria crowded out from a couple of dangerous corner kicks in the dying moments.

At the end of the international season, Ireland now sit second in World Cup qualifying group 8 – five points ahead of Bulgaria, although Bulgaria do have a game in hand. A second place finish should mean a play-off place although only top spot carries automatic qualification.

Rep of Ireland : Shay Given, John O’Shea, Richard Dunne, Sean St. Ledger, Kevin Kilbane, Stephen Hunt, Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews, Damien Duff, Robbie Keane, Caleb Folan.

Substitutes: Aiden McGeady for Hunt 70, Liam Miller, Stephen Kelly for O’Shea 81, Leon Best for Keane 73, Wayne Henderson, Andy Keogh, Eddie Nolan

In tonight’s other game in group 8, Montenegro came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Cyprus.