IRELAND MADE LIGHT work of Group D whipping boys Gibraltar at the Aviva Stadium this evening — scoring seven unanswered goals to give them maximum points from two games.
Robbie Keane’s first half hat-trick set the Boys in Green on their way before James McClean’s brace was added to by Wes Hoolahan and an own-goal from Gibraltar goalkeeper Jordan Perez.
Martin O’Neill made five changes to the team which earned a last-gasp win away to Georgia last month. Without the injured Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy, he opted for David Meyler at right back with late call-up Brian Lenihan not even making the bench.
Darron Gibson and Jeff Hendrick were brought in as a midfield pairing while James McClean returned to the team to start on opposite flank to fellow winger Aiden McGeady.
As expected, Ireland dictated possession right from the off and opened up the visitors after five minutes when McGeady spun off his man and crossed to the back post where Hoolahan headed over.
Th3 35,123 who turned at Lansdowne Road didn’t have to wait much longer for the opening goal, however, as Hoolahan returned the favour by picking out McGeady with a delightful through-ball. The Everton winger unselfishly squared for Keane, who finished routinely from close range.
McClean had a point-blank save stopped by Perez before Ireland doubled their lead. Hoolahan was again the provider, this time controlling the ball on his chest before playing it into the path of Keane for the Ireland skipper stroke home.
And the country’s all-time record goalscorer scored the 65th of his international career with the game still just 18 minutes old. Keane saw his effort cleared off the line but when Hoolahan was brought down by a clumsy challenge from Perez, referee Leontios Trattou had little choice but to point to the spot.
Keane sent the keeper the wrong way to convert the penalty and bag his third hat-trick in a green shirt.
In a thoroughly-dominant first half, Hoolahan and McGeady came close to getting their names on the scoresheet but the Boys in Green went into the break with a three-goal advantage.
O’Neill stuck with the same eleven for the second half and the floodgates opened with four more goals in the space of ten minutes. First, Keane teed up McClean and the Wigan man had the easiest of tasks from six yards out — although there was a suspicion of offside.
It was far to say Perez, who works professionally as a fireman, wasn’t having the best of days and his own-goal made it 5-0. He initially saved Keane’s chip but when Hoolahan’s follow-up was blocked, the Gibraltar number one blasted the ball into his own net.
McClean scored his second on 53 minutes before Hoolahan got in on the act with a clever run and low shot at the near post.
Gibraltar boss Allen Bula ended Perez’s misery by replacing him with back-up goalie Jamie Robba while Keane, Hoolahan and Stephen Ward were all withdrawn for Kevin Doyle, Daryl Murphy and Robbie Brady.
Ireland should have had a couple more before the end while Gibraltar eventually managed to cause the Irish backline a problem or two in the dying minutes but 7-0 was how it ended.
Confidence will be sky high after such a one-sided victory but a far tougher test awaits on Tuesday as Ireland now travel to Gelsenkirchen for a meeting with World Cup winners Germany.
All over in Poland . Germany beaten 2-0. Bad result for us . Need Germany to pick up all points against our rivals . I hope there is no bad backlash on Tuesday and that Germany are going through a very bad post World Cup hangover . On a lighter note there will be a lot of very happy Polish people in Ireland tonight .
Matched this game as they all are for little Gibraltar, a different tale this coming Tuesday? But who knows….will it come down to goal difference? Come on Ireland! Commiserations to Gibraltar.
I just hope Tuesday isn’t such a comedown that we let ourselves slip up against Scotland. We’d all take three points out of six. Anything out of the Germany game will be massive but just can’t see it happening
Joe with how this group could play out , in all probability with the three from Ireland Scotland and Poland all capable of taking point from each other or more importantly there could very easily be draws all around between the three anyone who manages to sneak even a point against the Germans could very well put themselves in the driving seat for second place . So I think getting something against Germany is absolutely vital over the two games to command second in the group and if either or both Scotland or Poland take a draw against Germany we could be in real trouble . So unless Germany go 100% in the group which they wont we could need something from them and I if there’s anytime to sneak a point it could be Tuesday . Here’s hoping they do Poland to tonight as well
7-0 in any international game is a great result. I think Ireland may be one of the stronger teams now. New management is the reason. 7 goals in 90 minutes is a great record and I feel we could beat the Germans with the quality of players we have.
Fionn it might be hard to drop Keane from O’Neils perspective but there are certainly plenty of reasons not to play Keane against Germany .. The pros and cons will need to be weighed up . At the very least you have to look at Keane being the most natural goal scorer Vs. He does not have the legs like Long to spend the night running into channels to take some of the pressure of our defence . Try and remember what this German team is capable of and what is un our best interests . So I wouldn’t be in any way unhappy if Keane played but I would also fully understand if he didn’t
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Robbie Keane has some record. Amazing considering how he is generally talked down here. 65 goals is exceptional, regardless of the opposition.
30 odd penalties
Still unreal. Look at other nations. There aren’t too many who can match him. Time he got some credit.
Give over willy ffs
Totally agree, has produced time and time again. Delighted to see him get a hat trick
1000s of sitters missed more like
the Germans will be the real test today was a entertaining match against a very weak team
I’ve a good feeling about Tuesday !
We’re going to win the World Cup!!!!!!!!!!
All over in Poland . Germany beaten 2-0. Bad result for us . Need Germany to pick up all points against our rivals . I hope there is no bad backlash on Tuesday and that Germany are going through a very bad post World Cup hangover . On a lighter note there will be a lot of very happy Polish people in Ireland tonight .
We are d boys in green, the best you’ve ever seen … Pity about d German result tonight, we will face a backlash
Perez couldn’t hold his piss. ..
Gibraltar? Where’s that pub?
Matched this game as they all are for little Gibraltar, a different tale this coming Tuesday? But who knows….will it come down to goal difference? Come on Ireland! Commiserations to Gibraltar.
Mismatched!
I just hope Tuesday isn’t such a comedown that we let ourselves slip up against Scotland. We’d all take three points out of six. Anything out of the Germany game will be massive but just can’t see it happening
Joe with how this group could play out , in all probability with the three from Ireland Scotland and Poland all capable of taking point from each other or more importantly there could very easily be draws all around between the three anyone who manages to sneak even a point against the Germans could very well put themselves in the driving seat for second place . So I think getting something against Germany is absolutely vital over the two games to command second in the group and if either or both Scotland or Poland take a draw against Germany we could be in real trouble . So unless Germany go 100% in the group which they wont we could need something from them and I if there’s anytime to sneak a point it could be Tuesday . Here’s hoping they do Poland to tonight as well
7-0 in any international game is a great result. I think Ireland may be one of the stronger teams now. New management is the reason. 7 goals in 90 minutes is a great record and I feel we could beat the Germans with the quality of players we have.
Only the second ever competitive game played by Gibraltar, let’s not get too ahead of ourselves.
Wexford youths would have given em a better game
Poland proved a point tonight.
After the performance today, there’s no reason for O’Neill not to start Keane.
Fionn it might be hard to drop Keane from O’Neils perspective but there are certainly plenty of reasons not to play Keane against Germany .. The pros and cons will need to be weighed up . At the very least you have to look at Keane being the most natural goal scorer Vs. He does not have the legs like Long to spend the night running into channels to take some of the pressure of our defence . Try and remember what this German team is capable of and what is un our best interests . So I wouldn’t be in any way unhappy if Keane played but I would also fully understand if he didn’t
I think he meant Roy.
I think he’d be able to last at least 70 minutes, so Long could be an impact substitute.
Could they ask jimmy mcguinness to manage the game against the Germans..
Didn’t score after 56 min or so, we need to be more clinical goal dif could be of real importance!
So I guess we’re going to win the euros now?
Yes if it consists of Gibraltar, San Marino, Faroe Islands and Andorra.
2-1 germany.