This is really rather poor I'm afraid. I'd love to tell you different but this is a dire half of international football.

We haven't had a single shot on target, and only four efforts in total. None of which were near the goal. 

Nobody saw it, or appealed for it, at the time but a replay suggests that Ben Davies handled the ball at that corner a few minutes ago. Wales perhaps a touch lucky there. 

Gareth Bale is not on it tonight. Yet.

Jeff Hendrick is forced back into his own half and he loses the ball to Aaron Ramsey. Looked like a foul. But he is waved on, he switches it to Bale on the left - but a really poor touch allows Seamus Coleman back in to make the tackle.

Image source, Getty Images

John Hartson
Ex-Wales striker on BBC Radio 5 live

It's all been a bit slow from Wales. Ireland have got bodies behind the ball and have nullified Wales' biggest threat in Gareth Bale. Wales need to up the tempo slightly.

A set-piece goal may be our only way to the net in this first half, and a dangerous looking Republic corner almost falls at the feet of Shane Long but it's hacked away. From nowhere a brass band strike up. 'Go West'. Go anywhere. 

Kevin Kilbane
Former Republic of Ireland winger on 5 live

I think both sides have been sloppy. They've lacked real quality when they've got into areas like Jeff Hendrick just did. It wasn't a difficult pass to make.

Image source, Reuters

Gerard Hennessy: Fairly typical grinding approach from the Republic. Uninspiring certainly but has been known to deliver results. C'mon Ireland. 

How fit is Gareth Bale? He can't run away from Glenn Whelan or Stephen Ward which, with all due respect, is a bit worrying. Ireland then almost put together a piece of football in the final third but Jeff Hendrick's pass to Shane Long is a touch overhit. 

Half an hour gone. And it really has gone. I've forgotten every second of it. A stale, tense, dull affair so far. 

Image source, Getty Images

Kevin Kilbane
Former Republic of Ireland winger on 5 live

The Republic have to have a certain amount of caution because of the quality Wales possess. But they have been quite positive. It's very even. Most of the game is being played in the middle third at the moment.

A point is a better result for Ireland than Wales and it rather shows so far. Can Wales break down the green wall?

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at the Aviva Stadium

This has been a tense and rather disjointed affair so far, as many expected with Ireland able to sit back and wait for their chance to pounce.

The hosts have regularly had all 11 players inside their own half but, despite dominating possession, Wales have been unable to break down their well-organised opponents.

Noel Fitzpatrick: We are giving this Welsh side far too much respect! They are no great shakes!! Go and win this Ireland!!

Potentially (more) bad news for Arsenal fans? Aaron Ramsey has some strapping adjusted on his hamstring. He seems ok though. 

Wales have had 60% of the ball so far but neither side has had a shot on target.

Image source, Getty Images

It is a bit of a function over fashion midfield for the Republic, but what can do you when Wes Hoolahan is unavailable? The game has settled down after that hectic opening spell. It's a bit flat if anything. 

The 'Icelandic hand clap' is given a whirl by some fans. Like any summer holiday hit, no matter how good it sounded while you were away, it's rubbish now. The Whigfield of football chants. 

Wales dominant now - Gareth Bale pings two crossfield passes into the mixer and from the second one, the ball is nodded down toward Hal Robson-Kanu but John O'Shea slams the door shut on him.

Wales having a good spell now as they force a couple of corners but Ireland stand strong and clear their lines well. 

Image source, Getty Images

It's Italy legend Gigi Buffon's 1,000th game in football tonight and the hosts won an early penalty.

Professionally, but quite boringly, they didn't let the keeper take it and Daniele de Rossi has scored.