Stephen Ward's consolation goal 19 minutes from time was the high point as O'Neill's side go to France on the back of a loss
Party poopers Belarus ended Ireland’s unbeaten run ahead of Euro 2016 as a makeshift side hit the skids in their farewell game.
While Martin O’Neill had question marks over one or two spots in his 23, this was also an exercise in trying to break into the manager’s starting XI for Sweden.
Not that this was an audition to remember, mind, after a ropey, disjointed performance littered with below par performances against mediocre opposition.
Mikhail Gordeichuk smashed the opener after 20 minutes but Ireland had chances and Ciaran Clark went close to equalising on three occasions.
Hopes of saving face evaporated when, in their first attack of the second-half, Maksim Volodko put Belarus further ahead on 65 minutes.
But Shane Long’s arrival midway through that half jolted Ireland and he teed up Stephen Ward for his rasping consolation goal 19 minutes from time.
It was too little, too late though as Ireland couldn’t nab the equaliser that the 7,211 capacity-crowd at Turner’s Cross craved.
This defeat is just Ireland’s second in 14 games but it ends the little unbeaten run of five matches as O’Neill turns his focus to Sweden.
But who put their hands up for a starting role at the Stade de France in 12 days time?
Very few if truth be told.
Cyrus Christie impressed but won’t dislodge Seamus Coleman. Aiden McGeady didn’t do enough while Jeff Hendrick and Daryl Murphy needed the game after injuries.
It was Murphy’s first outing in nine weeks and it showed as the big striker – still without an Ireland goal – looked rusty despite an honest shift.
Hendrick, too, can only improve having failed to stamp his authority after a qualifying campaign in which he came to the fore.
In defence, Shane Duffy’s emergence since Easter stole the limelight from Richard Keogh and Ciaran Clark but they were back in harness here.
Clark could have scored but Keogh, as captain last night, looks best placed to partner wise old head John O’Shea in Paris – but it’s a tight call.
Ireland started well but stray passing soon gifted Belarus space and freedom and they made the most of it when Gordeichuk smashed his opener from distance.
On the hour, Clark went close for a second time but Belarus edged further ahead as Volodko hit the net via a Keogh deflection.
Long’s arrival was a spur and he teed up Ward to smash home a fine consolation and while defeat will sting a little, it won’t cloud the focus.
Player ratings
Given 6 (Forde 69, 6); Christie 7, Keogh 6, Clark 6, Ward 7; Meyler 5 (O’Kane 75, 5), Gibson 5 (Hoolahan 68, 6), Hendrick 5; McGeady 5 (O’Dowda 75, 6) Murphy 5 (Long 68, 7), McClean 6 (McGoldrick 79, 5).
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