Andy the inspiration as Ireland reap reward

THE style and grace of Andy Reid's contribution will be remembered long after the details of Ireland's win over Cyprus in the World Cup qualifying tie at Lansdowne Road on Saturday are forgotten.

Reid, whose impish personality was perfectly mirrored by a bravura performance of breathtaking scope and vision, ensured Ireland accomplished this first elementary task without hysterics. Three goals scarcely reflected their superiority over a limited Cyprus.

Everything in life is relative and the visitors' shortcomings were such that a word of caution should be exercised when evaluating an ebullient Irish performance on a glorious day, filched from high summer.