“We have been a little bit spoilt at Lansdowne Road in the last couple of games,” said Birmingham defender Cunningham.

“The home crowd carries you on occasions and if there are moments when you are suffering a little bit the crowd picks you up and carries you on the crest of a wave almost.

“That wasn’t the case here. One or two decisions went against us which normally might not and that was frustrating, but it was important to keep our discipline and our composure and we did that.

“Everybody deserves credit because this was possibly one of our youngest ever squads at senior international level and there was a lot of inexperience on the pitch and on the bench.

“Everybody showed great character. We didn’t create as many chances as we would have hoped but it is important in those circumstances not to get too frustrated, you keep your shape and your concentration and don’t concede a goal.”

Once Ireland kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign in September they will face trips to France, Switzerland, Israel, Cyprus and the Faroe Isles in the year that follows, and Kerr was happy that his players got a taste of what might be to come.

“We got very few decisions from the referee, he gave them every push and throw-in,” said the Ireland boss.

“The players have to learn that’s the way it is away from home, so this game did fit the bill of what I wanted.

“We also extended our run to one defeat in 14 matches and that is important psychologically. We have kept three clean sheets in the last four games against quality teams.”

In truth this was a match to forget as neither side came anywhere near to scoring in the WKS Zawisza Stadium, but Kerr had good reason to be satisfied.

He added: “That was satisfactory considering the circumstances as I had 11 players who withdrew from the squad and another four or five who were not even available. We had a team with a lot of young players with potential.”