Republic of Ireland Under-21s claimed a creditable and well-deserved 1-1 draw in their friendly with Germany at Turner's Cross.

Don Givens' side fell behind to Sando Wagner's 22nd-minute strike despite holding their own early on but defender Michael Spillane levelled matters only four minutes later.

The Norwich player found space to force the ball home from Owen Garvan's well-delivered ball into the German area.

Against a Germany side heading to the European Championship finals in Sweden in June, Givens' men impressed in Cork but were handed an early warning when Shane Redmond's poor clearance went straight to Anis Ben-Hatira whose shot bounced just wide.

In reply, Stephen Gleeson had a shot deflected out for a corner and Shane Lowry's downward header was well saved.

Former Cork City trainee Dave Meyler enjoyed an industrious debut in central midfield, having replaced James McCarthy in the starting line-up after the Hamilton man suffered a hamstring injury in training.

Meyler had a sight of goal in the first half but his effort was charged down by Dennis Aogo.

Redmond kept Ireland in the game with a fingertips save from Ben-Hatira on the stroke of half-time.

Chances were at a premium in the second half as neither side could muster a winner.

Teams:

Rep of Ireland U21: Redmond (Henderson 46), Moloney, Spillane, Lowry, Liddle, Meyler, Garvan, Gleeson, Judge, Sheridan, Scannell (Carey 86).

Booked: Gleeson.

Goals: Spillane 26.

Germany U21: Neuer, Aogo, Jaissle (Hennings 46), Jerome Boateng, Schwaab, Ben-Hatira (Grote 86), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Adlung 46), Ebert, Khedira (Johnson 30), Halfar (Heller 80), Wagner.

Subs Not Used: Fromlowitz.

Booked: Jerome Boateng, Ebert.

Goals: Wagner 22.

Att: 5,000