Clinton’s cracker saves blushes

Rep of Ireland 1 China 0

The striker who can’t seem to help scoring for Ireland came off the bench to illuminate a dull March friendly with a sweet finish in the 85th minute, before a crowd of just over 35,000 at Lansdowne Road.

It was just enough to give Brian Kerr’s team a 1-0 win over China and go some small way towards banishing the hangover from Tel Aviv - although the pain could resurface tonight should France finally come good in Israel.