Keane shows new boys how

THERE were new faces aplenty in the Irish side which shared the honours with Nigeria on the banks of the Thames last night but it was the old boys who shone the brightest, Robbie Keane scoring again for his country, Richard Dunne dominating at the back and Liam Miller having a fine game in the centre of the park.

Most impressive of the rookies was Coventry striker Leon Best who, though he may lack a bit of subtlety, gave a good account of himself on his senior debut.

London’s gorgeous summer sunshine put the warm in warm-up but, given the experimental nature of the Irish line-up — three of the back four were making their senior debuts — this was less a dress rehearsal for Bulgaria and more in the way of a casting call for future productions.

But if there was one individual Irish performance which appeared to carry the greatest potential significance for next Saturday’s big game in Sofia, it was that of full-back Kevin Foley. With Steve Finnan out of the international picture and Paul McShane scarcely unassailable at right-back, the 22 year old Foley — Wolves’ player of the year — was finally given his long-awaited chance to stake a claim.

Although he displayed good use of the ball going forward, Foley didn’t exactly cover himself in glory for Nigeria’s opening goal in the 30th minute, conspicuously failing to create more of an obstacle for Michael Enemaro as the striker all too easily finished Femi Olubayo’s low cross to the back of the Irish net. To his credit, Foley recovered well from the setback, his composure on the ball and sharp reading of the game making a persuasive case that his time at this level has finally come. Meanwhile, McShane’s own jittery cameo when he came on for the Wolves man after 70 minutes, might also have left an impression in Giovanni Trapattoni’s mind as he plots a course for Sofia.

The first half-hour of the match fairly flew by in a blur of frantic and pretty shapeless football, the early exchanges disfigured by sloppy possession and riddled with errors. But, as the referee was forced to intervene to settle a flare up in the recurring dispute between Liam Lawrence and Sone Aluko, at least no-one could complain that this end of season game erred on the side of being too friendly.

With both sides moving the ball at pace if not always with the requisite precision, there was no shortage of action in either box, Leon Best forcing a couple of close-range saves and heading one effort against the post, as he repeatedly made his presence felt in the penalty area and showed signs of a developing a useful understanding with Robbie Keane. For Nigeria, Kala Uche’s enterprising quick free from fully 55 yards forced the back-pedalling Given to tip the ball over the angle of crossbar and post, before the Super Eagles got their breakthrough..

When the Irish equaliser came, it was mainly the work of the old boys network. A lovely goal it was too, beginning with Damien Duff cutting in from the left. Liam Miller, having one of his best games for Ireland, moved the ball on with a clever flick to Keith Andrews, and the Blackburn man’s defence-splitting pass allowed Robbie Keane to daintily round ‘keeper Ejide and roll the ball into the empty net.

It was the Irish captain’s 39th goal for his country. But he would have to wait another day for the 40th, the manager ringing changes at half-time by bringing on Shane Long for the skipper, as well as Aiden McGeady for Duff and Kieren Westwood for Given.

Six minutes after the break, the Reading striker was denied a goal by a great recovery save from Ejide, after the keeper had failed to deal with a backpass under pressure from Best. Another 20 minutes elapsed before the Irish came close again, McGeady and Miller combining sweetly before the Celtic man fired wide of the post.

In the end, a draw was probably the right result on a night which will have given Trapattoni encouragement about the extent of his options — even if he is likely, in the main, to revert to the familiar faces when the real test comes next Saturday. But don’t rule out a competitive debut by Kevin Foley.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Given (Westwood 45), Foley (mcShane 71), St. Ledger, Dunne, Nolan, Lawrence (Hunt 80), Andrews (Whelan 57), Miller, Duff (McGeady 45), Best, Keane (Long 45)

NIGERIA: Ejide, Olubayo, Sodje (Obinna 77), Adeleye, Mohammed, Utaka, Olofinjana, Uche, Aluko (Obinna 60), Enemaro, Akpala (Odemwingie 60).

Referee: William Collum.