Republic of Ireland 3 - 0 Latvia

Success in the making or a disaster waiting to happen, call it what you like the most important factor in the dawning of this new era in Irish football is that it got off to a winning start. And it did just that. Goals from Robbie Keane, Aiden McGeady and Shane Long ensured that the O’Neill/Keane partnership began their tenure successfully.

There has been a renewed buzz around Irish football this past week, something that was evident for all to see. More green shirts packed the Lansdowne Road DART station before and after the game, the stadium was fuller and the mood was brighter. This was the beginning of a new chapter in Irish football.

A welcome change made by the new management team before the action even got underway was the inclusion of Wes Hoolahan in the starting line-up. The former Shelbourne player made only his ninth cap which, for a player of his talent and at the age of 31, simply isn’t enough.

Indeed Hoolahan was involved in much of the early action, picking the ball up between the Latvian defence and midfield, and distributing it creatively.

This creativity came to the fore after 12 minutes when a clever free-kick routine saw McGeady roll the ball to Hoolahan who hooked it into the six yard box, finding Keane but the Tallaght man could only shoot straight at the goalkeeper.

Ireland’s record goalscorer didn’t have long to wait to add yet another goal to his international tally however. A corner kick from the left wing was crossed into the box by McGeady. James McClean met the ball at the front post, flicking it into the six yard box for Keane to tap in from close range. It was the perfect start and one that drew both O’Neill and Keane from their seats in celebration.

The goal also means that Keane is now second only to Miroslav Klose in the list of all-time international goalscorers who are currently playing.

Just a minute later another chance fell to the Keane of the playing capacity but a good save from Andris Vanins in the Latvia goal denied Ireland a second.

The initial higher tempo that the home side had been playing with began to die down as the half wore on. Some sloppy passes surrendered possession to the Latvians who, if truth be told, never looked like doing anything with it.

The visitors had only won two of their last fifteen games coming into tonight’s match and it showed; they failed to put up much resistance at all preferring instead to lump long balls towards Valerijs Sabala up front.

On 58 minutes it should have been 2-0 Ireland when the ball fell to McClean just eight yards from goal. A long range Seamus Coleman shot had hit Hoolahan in the box, falling favourably to his feet. The Norwich midfielder squared to ball to McClean but the former Derry man couldn’t keep his composure and blasted over the bar.

Aiden McGeady had been a thorn in the side of the Latvian defence for much of the game and a vicious shot from 20 yards nearly netted him a deserved goal on 63 minutes.

The Spartak Moscow man didn’t have long to wait for another chance though. Just five minutes later he was afforded far too much time and space by the Latvian defence, hammering home a low strike from 25 yards.

The introduction of Andy Reid with 20 minutes to go almost reaped dividends immediately when his curling effort was well saved by Vanins.

Reid, as well as his two fellow substitutes, Shane Long and Jon Walters, had a part to play in the third goal ten minutes later however. The Nottingham Forest midfielder picked up the ball in the centre of the pitch before setting Walters away on the right wing. Walters advanced to the edge of the box and slid a pass through to Seamus Coleman who crossed for Long to tap in and seal the victory for the home team.

Republic of Ireland: Keiren Westwood; Seamus Coleman, John O’Shea, Marc Wilson, Stephen Ward; Aiden McGeady (Andy Reid, 73), Glenn Whelan (Paul Green, 80), James McCarthy (Kevin Doyle, 81), James McClean (Anthony Stokes, 81), Wes Hoolahan (Shane Long, 73); Robbie Keane (Jon Walters, 73).

Substitutes not used: David Forde, Rob Elliot; Sean St Ledger, Alex Pearce, Stephen Kelly, Joey O’Brien.

Latvia: Andris Vanins; Vladislavs Gabovs, Kaspars Gorkss, Nauris Bulvitis, Renars Rode, Vitalijs Maksimenko; Ritvars Rugins (Aleksandrs Fertovs, 27), Juris Laizans (Alans Sinelnikovs, 72), Artis Lazdins; Valerijs Sabala (Danills Turkovs, 62), Maris Verpakovskis (Eduards Visnakovs, 45).

Substitutes not used: Aleksandrs Kolinko, Germans Malins; Antons Kurakins, Alans Sinelnikovs, Andrejs Kovajovs, Jurijs Zigajevs, Arturs Zjuzins.

Booked: Vladislavs Gabovs (56), Nauris Bulvitis (86), Renars Rode (90).

Referee: Andreas Ekberg

Attendance: 37,100.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Wes Hoolahan – Hoolahan dictated the pace of play for the entirety of his time on the pitch. He constantly found space between the Latvian midfield and defence and created from there.