Watt gives Ireland parity

Mikey Watt spared Ireland’s blushes as his second-half strike ensured Ireland took home a share of the spoils in their second clash with France in Paris. A 6-1 defeat – their heaviest ever to the French – had got Paul Revington’s World Cup qualification campaign preparation off to an awful start, but Ireland were vastly improved yesterday. Nicolas Monnier broke the dead-lock in the 41st minute from the flickr spot after Irish keeper David Harte had infringed in the circle. Ireland had the upper hand for the most part, thereafter, and got their reward when Watt finished off a flowing move involving Peter Caruth and Geoff McCabe on 51 minutes. IRELAND: David Harte, Johnny Jackson, Ronan Gormley, Michael Watt, Joe Brennan, Eugene Magee, Peter Caruth, Andy McConnell, Graham Shaw, David Hobbs, Mitch Darling, Alan Sothern, Geoff McCabe, David Ames, Conor Harte, Tim Lewis