Randolph helps Ireland to crucial Austria draw

Darren Randolph


Darren Randolph's Republic of Ireland kept themselves in the hunt for World Cup qualification with a 1-1 draw against Austria on Sunday.

Ireland needed Jonathan Walters to pop up with an equaliser five minutes from time at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin after Martin Hinteregger gave Austria a first half lead.

Walters' late strike was reward for an improved display in the second half from Ireland, who moved to the top of Group D in European qualification.

Randolph earned his 22nd Republic of Ireland cap in the draw - 20 of which have come since his move to the Hammers from Birmingham in summer 2015.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Andre Ayew and Ghana enjoyed a perfect start to their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign by dispatching Ethiopia 5-0 in Kumasi.

Ghana top the four-team group after goals from Asamoah Gyan, John Boye, Ebenezer Ofori and Raphael Dwamena twice fired them to victory.