19.28 – As you know, Trap has revealed that the team playing tonight will be identical to the side starting against Croatia next weekend, barring injuries.

Do you think it’s wise of Trap to announce his starting line-up for the Euros so early?

Poll Results:

• Yes
  
• No
  
• I don't know
  

Vote

19.31 – There seems to be a bit of confusion, as Hungary came out into the tunnel, only to promptly return to their dressing room. Perhaps they don’t fancy playing in the lashing rain.

The Ireland players, on the other hand, are waiting around in the tunnel, looking somewhat perplexed as they do so.

19.38 – Just to clarify, it is due to concerns over thunder and lightning that the game’s been delayed.

As Paul Dempsey of Setanta rightly points out, it seems strange that the players’ welfare seems very much prioritised ahead the supporters’, given that there’s very little cover from the possibility of thunder and lightning in the stadium.

20.10 – Great work from Damien Duff to escape his marker down the right wing, but as he looks to cross he’s short of options, and Hungary clear his ball in comfortably.

Meanwhile, down the other end, Hungary threaten, as Dzsudzsak’s shot is deflected off St Leger, forcing Given to palm the ball away to safety. The hosts look very dangerous on the counter-attack.

20.16 – Glenn Whelan makes a  strong, ambitious forward run, and is halted only by a last-ditch tackle from the Hungarian defender. *rubs eyes*

Meanwhile, Dzsudzsak produces a powerful shot from just outside the box, which Given parries away, as the home side continue to threaten.

20.20 – Another hanging cross, this time from Robbie Keane in the direction of Kevin Doyle, but again Bogdan catches it with relative ease.

Ireland have been unconvincing – particularly in the final third – so far.

20.27 – Whelan ambitiously attempts to test the goalkeeper with a free-kick on the right, when a cross may have been the better option. His effort sails a few yards over.

Meanwhile, Szalai is through on goal from a cross after St Ledger’s slip, but he woefully scuffs his shot from close range, in what is his side’s best chance of the game so far.

20.31 – So far Hungary don’t look a side who are 17 places below Ireland in the FIFA rankings.

They’ve undoubtedly been the better team, controlling the tempo of the game and creating the better chances.

20.36 – Strange decision by the Danish referee. Doyle has a chance to break away down the left wing, but he calls play back and books the Hungarian defender for a tug on the Irish striker’s shirt, failing to play advantage in the process.

Shortly thereafter, the ball is played through to Szalai, who evades the challenge of Dunne, but he’s prevented from scoring owing to a last-ditch tackle from Ward.

The big striker has caused Ireland numerous problems already.

20.43 – So it’s half-time, and it’ll be difficult for Trapattoni to take many positives from that first half, aside from the fact that there’s been no injuries so far.

The word ‘pedestrian’ springs to mind when assessing Ireland’s performance. They’ve offered very little in attack, and had a few let offs down the other end as well.

And perhaps most worryingly of all, Hungary have virtually nothing to play for, while Ireland are preparing for their first European Championships in 24 years.

20.52 – Brian Kerr is expressing concerns about Stephen Ward. Do you share them?

Poll Results:

• Yes, he's not up to it at this level.
  
• No, leave him alone, he's good enough.
  
• Ask me after the Euros
  

Vote

21.04 – Even a set piece – so often Ireland’s strong point – is cleared away without undue pressure being put on the Hungarians.

Hungary immediately go down the other end, and Szalai’s shot from close range is blocked brilliantly by St Ledger. A minute later, Dzsudzsak’s attempt from the edge of the box deflects off the omnipresent Szalai, and Westwood is forced to get down well to his left.

This match is beginning to resemble the Russia qualifier in Moscow, as Hungary’s dominance grows.

21.27 – McGeady sprints away on the break for Ireland and plays through Cox, but his finish is hammered straight at the goalkeeper.

Soon afterwards, a cross finds Walters, whose free header goes just wide.

Two gilt-edged opportunities missed, as Ireland start to gain the upper hand in this encounter.

21.33 – The way Ireland have grown into this game in the second half makes you wonder if Trapattoni was a tad premature in naming his starting line-up for Croatia, particularly when you consider that the likes of Walters and Gibson have made a difference.

However, as I type, Szabics’ shot from a half cleared corner from the edge of the box is stopped on the line by Hunt.

21.39 – Dangerous curling free-kick in from Stephen Hunt, and Hungary clear unconvincingly.

There’ll be three minutes of added time.

21.47 – So a poor performance from Ireland, but on the plus side, Trap’s men have now gone 14 games unbeaten.

On a more pessimistic note, Ireland are unlikely to get away with such a sloppy performances at the Euros.

Though the second-half performance was slightly improved, with substitutes such as Stephen Hunt and Jon Walters having a positive influence, Hungary still had the better chances.

Must do better.

22.05 –

(Richard Dunne and Stephen Hunt applaud the Irish supporters – INPHO/Donall Farmer)

22.10 – Trapattoni tells Setanta he is happy Ireland didn’t lose or suffer an injury.

He admits Hungary “dominated us in the first half” but suggests “the fresh energy” helped Ireland improve in the second half.

He indicates Ireland may have to play one up front, given that they were overrun in midfield for large parts of that game.

Surely he can’t be considering changing the system at this stage.

22.16 – Right that’s it from me for the moment. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Stay tuned though, as we’ll be bringing you player ratings, a match report and more shortly.