With so many players missing, and some good results in the bank, it was probably a point gained.
Joint-top of Group D at the midpoint, four clear of third place, you'd have been delighted for that when the draw was made in July 2015.
It was far from vintage fare at the Aviva, the kind of game that both sides could easily have won, but also the kind they could have easily lost.
However, the result began to feel secondary in importance in the final 20 minutes, after the horrific Neil Taylor tackle which saw Seamus Coleman stretchered off receiving oxygen.
The Aston Villa full back was late and high on the Republic of Ireland captain. The fact that the television match director chose not to show a replay of the incident tells you everything you need to know. After the game, manager Martin O'Neill confirmed the worst, with Colemen taken straight to hospital after a broken leg.
In truth, an incident like that had been coming, with referee Nicola Rizzoli letting both sides push the boundaries of physicality. In the opening half Shane Long and Glenn Whelan left Welsh players down on the ground after leaving shoulders and elbows straying in the tackle. Seconds before Taylor's brutal lunge on Coleman, Gareth Bale was yellow carded for a studs-up tackle on John O'Shea.
The loss of Coleman did seem to spur Ireland on. They seemed galvanised in spite of losing their leader. A James McClean volley seemed destined for the net, before being deflected just wide of the post. Shortly after, Wales came back and Gareth Bale's long-range effort came within millimetres of hitting the top corner.
While Ireland came closest to carving out a winner in the final 10 minutes, a point leaves Martin O'Neill's side well placed with five games behind them. Five more remain, but unfortunately they may have to be played without Seamus Coleman.
