Ismaila Sarr scores past Caoimhin Kelleher in DublinGetty Images

After making three big saves, Caoimhin Kelleher was finally beaten when Ismaila Sarr netted with nine minutes to play

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Substitute Ismaila Sarr equalised with nine minutes to play as Senegal drew 1-1 with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.

Kasey McAteer, on his first Irish start, scored the opener in the 21st minute as the hosts took a deserved lead against a Senegal side without key players Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly and Nicolas Jackson.

Ryan Manning's cross into the area was flicked on by captain Nathan Collins, and McAteer's initial header was kept out by a superb save from Yehvanne Diouf.

However, the Leicester City midfielder reacted quickest to bring the ball down, turn and fire the ball into the unguarded net.

New Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher produced a stunning, fingertip save to turn Krepin Diatta's header onto the crossbar, and was later called upon to push the ball off the line as Senegal pushed for an equaliser.

That came when Iliman Ndiaye's cross found Cherif Ndiaye, who forced Kelleher into another strong save but Sarr was alert to smash home the rebound in the 81st minute.

McAteer and Kelleher make big impact

Senegal had the first sight of goal in Dublin when Diatta's corner came off the unsighted Dara O'Shea, who blew a sigh of relief as the ball rolled just the wrong side of the post.

Mamadou Camara and Will Smallbone exchanged wild, long-range efforts at either end before McAteer opened the scoring after reacting quickest when keeper Diouf saved his initial header.

It was a deserved lead for the Republic, and only the second goal that the African side had conceded in their last 741 minutes of football in all compeitions.

For a brief moment, it looked like the goal would burst the friendly into some form of life when McAteer's dangerous cross was cut out with Jack Taylor lurking.

However, that never came to fruition and the game became more and more low key as the half progressed, and a rare venture forward from Senegal led to Antoine Mendy's sliced effort in the only other attempt on goal in the opening 45 minutes.

Kasey McAteer wheels away in celebration after scoring a goalInpho

Kasey McAteer scored his first international goal on his first start for the Republic of Ireland

The start of the second half was a more lively affair as Smallbone forced Diouf into another smart save, and Mendy put in a big challenge to deny Manning on the rebound just as the full-back looked like he would slot home.

Senegal looked a much more dangerous outfit after the restart and almost equalised when Ismail Jakob's cross was headed towards goal by Diatta, and Kelleher flew across goal to tip the ball onto the crossbar.

Kelleher was called into action again as Camara's shot from the edge of the area deflected onto the post off Jake O'Brien, and the 26-year-old had to scamper across his goal to push the ball off the line.

Moments later, Boulaye Dia's low effort was saved by Kelleher, who was by far the more busy of the two goalkeepers after the restart.

However, Kelleher's resolve was broken with nine minutes to play when he pulled off another superb save to keep out Ndiaye, but Crystal Palace's Sarr was on hand to fire home from close range.

Cheikh Sabaly headed narrowly wide as the visitors kept pressing, but a draw was probably a fair result as the Irish drew with a Senegal side whose unbeaten run has now stretched to 21 matches.

Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson handed a debut to St Mirren midfielder Killian Phillips in the second half, and his side are back in action on Tuesday away to Luxembourg while Senegal take on England.

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