Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr acknowledged a tinge of disappointment that his side hadn't beaten France in Saturday's World Cup qualifier. "We're probably slightly disappointed but we'd have settled for two away draws at this stage," said Kerr.
"Everyone from Shay Given through to Robbie Keane and Andy Reid, who came on, were just brilliant tonight.
"We had two clearcut chances for John O'Shea and Robbie Keane but overall it was probably a fair result."
Kerr said that subduing Robert Pires and Thierry Henry had been crucial to Ireland's performance - adding that the contributions of Carr and Finnan had been crucial in this regard.
"Stephen Carr and Steve Finnan did a great job on the right flank for us and Roy Keane and Kevin Kilbane also dominated midfield.
"We also managed to keep the ball better that we did in Switzerland and actually put France under a bit of pressure."
Kerr paid tribute to the 35,000 Irish fans who had helped create a wonderful atmosphere in the Stade de France.
"It was a fantastic occasion and the support was just brilliant."
Kevin Kilbane, who was voted Ireland's man-of-the-match hailed the draw as a "great result".
Everton midfielder Kilbane insisted that the Irish had gone into the game convinced they could come away with a win or a draw.
"It's a great result for us," he said.
"Tonight we have proved what a good team we are. We believed in ourselves. We believed that we could come here and get a positive result - and we have."
Birmingham defender Kenny Cunningham felt the Republic had defended well and caused France problems - and that the only ingredient missing was a slice of luck.
"We came here to be disciplined and defend what we had.
"But we also wanted to take the game to France whenever the opportunity arose - and we did both those things," he said.
"I thought we showed a lot of imagination up front - and with a bit more luck, we could have scored and won the game."
Switzerland, the Republic and France all have five points after three games in Group Four. The Swiss top the group on goal difference from the Irish.
Kerr's side now face the Faroe Islands in Dublin on Wednesday.
France coach Raymond Domenech said he wasn't too disappointed by the result.
"In the first 20 minutes, Ireland caused a lot of problems for us," he said.
"I would have preferred the three points, but many teams drew their matches tonight. I am not angry, quite the contrary."
MMIX
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With a bit more luck, we could have scored and won the game