Republic of Ireland crashed the North 5-0 last night at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, in a friendly meeting. Keane scored a double, including a second half penalty, while Ward brought the first lead for the hosts. Giovanni Trapattoni’s side were also helped by Cathcart’s own goal. Cox had the last word on Aviva, making it 5-0 with ten minutes left. The North had the first chance of the night through Feeney who tried his luck with a cross-shot in the 12th minute. Republic’s first reply came just five minutes later. Treacy and Cox developed a lovely action the finish of which was fired wide by Andrews.
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Keane got his first big opportunity in the 20th minute. The striker was picked in good position, only to hit it straight to the keeper. Five minutes later Ward made it 1-0. Republic won a corner the hosts took short and which Ward put it home past Blayney. Thigns got much worse for Nigel Worthington’s side who conceded the second goal in the 37th minute. A poor defending from Hodson allowed Kean to fire a loss ball home for a two-goal lead. Coleman then tried his luck with a powerful shot the North defense deflected away. With one minute left, Cathcart made the north look miserable. Coleman hit a perfect cross the keeper saved as far as the defender who awarded the home side a third one.
The half time went 3-0, while the second one looked much tougher. Just eight minutes into the last part, Thompson picked a straight red for a crazy unfriendly foul on Keane. The striker converted to the right as the North fans were leaving the stadium. The 56th minute brought the same Kean another huge chance, but the striker was denied by the keeper in what should have been a much more difficult test, if not a hat-0trick for the Irish. Treacy, who was kept on the pitch for 90 minutes, had a solid contribution in Ireland’s fifth goal, the midfielder feeding Cox with a superb pass the right forwarder converted into a humiliating result.
Trapattoni used four reserves, introducing Keogh, Forde, Lawrance and Hunt for Keane, keeper Given, Coleman and Foley respectively, while Worthington replaced McQuoid, Gorman, Feeney, Carson and Davis with Norwood, Coates, Boyce, McGinn and Garrett. Apart form Thompson’s red card, no other player was cautioned by the referee. Aviva is to host three more matches this week. Wales play Scotland on Wednesday, Northern Ireland meet Wales on Friday, while Republic of Ireland will face Scotland on Sunday.
Republic of Ireland – Given; Ward, Kelly, Delaney, McShane; Treacy, Foley, Andrews, Coleman; Keane, Cox. Reserves: D. Forde, S. St. Ledger, A. Keogh, D. O’Dea, S. Hunt, L. Lawrence.
Northern Ireland – Blayney; Thompson, Cathcart, McAuley, Hodson; Carson, Davis, Clingan, Gorman; McQuoid, Feeney. Reserves: O. Norwood, L. Boyce, C. Winchester, S. Dallas, J. Owens, J. Tuffey, N. McGinn, C. Coates, R. Garrett.
