Fulham midfielder Michael Timlin was appointed captain of his country in Ireland's opening Madeira International Tournament game on Tuesday
against Madeira.
Ireland fell behind to a great strike on 60 minutes from defender Patricio but Jonathan Hayes earned The Republic a point with a 78th minute equaliser.
Anthony Stokes rattled the underside of the crossbar with his injury-time free-kick as Ireland pressed in vain for a latewinner.
Don Givens' lads will now require wins against Finland on Wednesday and Portugal on Friday if they are to emerge successful from this competition for a second time.
Fulham midfielder and Ireland's captain for the day Michael Timlin was sent off for two yellow cards four minutes from the end.
Givens had a word of consolation for Timlin.
The manager said: "Michael was unlucky to pick up the two bookings, it was through a couple of honest challenges so I can't be too hard on him."
Ireland:
Darren Quigley (UCD); Keith Keane (Luton Town), Chris Deans (Waterford United), Richard Keogh (Bristol City), James Hand (Huddersfield); Roy O'Donovan (Cork City), Gary Dicker (UCD), Michael Timlin (Fulham), Alan O'Brien (Newcastle United); Stephen Ward (Bohemians), Andy Keogh (Scunthorpe).
Subs: Diarmuid O'Carroll (Celtic) for Ward 46, Jonathan Hayes (Reading) for O'Donovan 46, Kevin O'Connor (Wolves) for Dicker 61, Derek Tyrrell (Drogheda United) for Deans 61, Anthony Stokes (Arsenal) for O'Brien 74.
Source .