Keogh gives Ireland the edge

REPUBLIC of Ireland Under-21 manager Don Givens hailed the display of two-goal hero Andy Keogh as his under-strength side staged a come-from-behind performance to secure a crucial lead in their European Championships preliminary round clash with the Azeris.

After conceding a 20th-minute opener to Murad Aghakishiyev in the first leg in Baku, Keogh turned the game around with a second-half brace.

His first goal for Ireland — on his third appearance — came in the 58th minute, with the Scunthorpe striker nodding home a far-post free-kick from Celtic winger Aiden McGeady.

Dublin-born Keogh then clinched a superb win two minutes from time with a fine drive inside the area after latching onto an incisive through ball.

A delighted Givens said: “Andy was excellent throughout the whole game and the goals were a just reward for his performance. Not only did he get the goals, but his overall contribution was superb, especially as he was effectively the only central frontman.”

Played in front of a crowd of 1,500, and cheered on by a 100-strong group of ex-pats, Ireland soaked up early pressure and eventually mastered the dreadful pitch to take control.

“They started off really aggressively and didn’t let us get going, and for a five-minute spell after the goal we had to weather the storm,” added Givens.

“At that point it looked like we would struggle because we were 1-0 down and not playing well. But towards the end of the first half and throughout the second we took over and deserved to win. I always felt we would get something out of the game, but to get the win was fantastic.”

The result, though, was marred by the dismissal of goalkeeper Darren Quigley in the dying moments for violent conduct.

Quigley, who plays for UCD, was gouged in the eye and shoved into the back of the net as he caught a cross, to which he retaliated.

Givens said: “Darren did react, which you kind of think was a silly thing to do, but it was perfectly understandable in the circumstances.”

Despite finishing the game with 10 men, the result sets up Givens’ side for next Thursday’s return leg at Kilkenny’s Buckley Park.

Hopes are now high of reaching the group stages later this year where Greece and Belgium await, with Givens adding: “We should now finish the job.”

REP OF IRELAND: Quigley (UCD), Foley (Luton Town), Keogh (Bristol City), Bruce (Birmingham City), Painter (Birmingham City), Keegan (Drogheda Utd), Flood (Man City), Timlin (Fulham), O'Donovan (Cork City), Keogh (Scunthorpe), McGeady (Celtic).

Sub: S. Long (Reading, 62) for O’Donovan.