Republic of Ireland 1 Cyprus 1:  Honestly, is this the sum of our parts?  Is this really where's we're at? Cyprus are nothing more than an average side punching above their weight in a group, for the most part, lacking quality.  Twice this campaign they've shown us up and clearly the Irish team and its manager are now the ones living beyond their means.

Steve Staunton's tactical naivety was once again brutally exposed and the time is nigh for his removal. How he, and more importantly his employers, will justify this diabolical, embarrassing performance remains to be seen but clearly he is no longer the man for the job. He promised his players would be motivated, and some were, but the collective failure to execute the basics once again beggared belief and responsibility falls at the manager's feet.

Staunton will probably remind everyone how the team are now unbeaten in 12 games, and that the unbeaten home record at Croke Park that he seems so proud of remains intact.  But both are utterly hollow arguments and the manager must know so.  This was as good as a defeat, and until the 92nd minute it was heading that way.  Football supporters are a fickle bunch, but they're certainly not stupid.  They've been hoodwinked for long enough and, rightly, should stand for it no more.

Notwithstanding Steve Finnan's injury-time equaliser, Stelios Okkarides's headed goal 10 minutes from time has hammered the final nail into Staunton's coffin.  His position is utterly untenable and, with the World Cup campaign looming next year, he should resign immediately and allow the search for his successor to begin.  John Delaney, the FAI's chief executive, has as much, if not more, to answer for.

The supporters showed their frustration with a mass walk out after the Cypriot goal.  Chants of "We want Staunton out" rang around the ground and the manager cut the loneliest of figures as he traipsed bewildered around his technical area.  Finnan's equaliser will probably mean extend Staunton's stay for the remaining game next month in Wales but, in truth, it just prolongs the agony.

The players shouldn't escape criticism either but the manager's decision to play Joey O'Brien as his holding midfielder backfired spectacularly.  The Bolton fullback deputised admirably in central defence on Saturday but lacked conviction here.  Liam Miller's introduction at half-time brought purpose and direction but why, having played so well for Sunderland of late, was he omitted in the first place?

It's easy to kick a team when they're down but Ireland's performance throughout was truly awful.  Lethargic and uninspiring, the home side conjured no more than two chances on goal in the first half, only one of which summoned goalkeeper Antonis Giorgallidi into action.  It's little wonder the fans stayed away.

And it wasn't for the lack of possession.  Staunton's men saw so much of the ball they were camped deep in their opponents half for most of the game.  Still, passing was less than crisp and at times it was just utterly shocking.  For the most part, wingers Andy Keogh and Stephen Hunt failed to deliver a cross of note while behind them Andy Reid and O'Brien looked out of tune.

Reid may not have trained since the Germany game owing to an ankle problem but the killer ball he routinely delivered on Saturday was missing from his arsenal.  Be it containing or pushing forward, neither he nor O'Brien carried confidence to their task and O'Brien was replaced by Miller at the break.

Staunton spoke about "getting in their faces" during the week, but his players lacked penetration and they attacked without imagination.  Cyprus had it easy.  The ball was regularly overplayed in midfield, killing the momentum when space was there to expose.  Initially, Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle carried a threat but they received little or no service thereafter and cut lonely figures high up the field.

Keane's header from Finnan's cross proved the highlight of the half but the goalkeeper was well placed to make a comfortable save. With little to excite them on the pitch thereafter, the supporters reverted to wave after wave, Mexican style.

Although pinned in their own territory for much of the first half, Cyprus cut a swagger when gifted the opportunity to break forward.  Unlike their hosts, each time they attacked they instilled fear.   Striker Yiasoumis Yiasoumi twice went close, first breaching the cover and firing at Shay Given's legs and then out-muscling Paul McShane in the air and forcing the goalkeeper to scramble.

The home side failed to heed that warning and continued to struggle in every department.  Cyprus just grew in confidence and should have taken the lead seconds before the break.  Hunt lost possession in midfield and Marios Nikolaou galloped onto a through ball.  It was a three-on-one break but, with Given off his line, he ignored his supporting team-mates and sent a lob high and wide.

The supporters booed the team off at the break and did so again just minutes after the restart.  Captain Ioannis Okkas timed his run to perfection and controlled a delicious through ball.  Again McShane's meek challenge was brushed to one side and, with Given beaten, the ball rebounded off the post.  Staunton was irate on the touchline, the supporters in the stands even more so.

In the closing quarter Keane should have put Ireland ahead.  Doyle's cross from the right was superbly executed but the Tottenham striker, having evaded the covering defender, steered his header wide of the post.  Typically, the hosts huffed and puffed for the remainder but they were knocked for six when Okkarides - having ghosted in between McShane and O'Shea - headed home.

During the week Staunton repeatedly reminded us that Cyprus were a good team, not to be underestimated.  His comments smacked of insecurity and desperation.  Hyping up weak teams can't have benefited his squad and the negativity he has shouldered all campaign manifested itself here in a performance that offers little hope for the future.  Finnan's goal was the only positive input on a shocking night for Irish football. Nicosia was bad 12 months ago, this was no better, perhaps even worse.

Rep of Ireland: Given; Finnan, McShane, O'Shea, Kilbane; Keogh (McGeady 63), Reid, O'Brien (Miller half-time), Hunt (Murphy 75); Keane, Doyle.

Cyprus:  Giorgallidi, Satsias (Maragkos 70), Okkarides, Christou, Charalambides, Ilia, Garpozis, Makridis (Theofilou  86), Nikolaou, Okkas, Yiasoumi (Michail 73).

Referee:  Mikko Vuorela (Finland)