A stroll but one with landmarks aplenty

Republic of Ireland 4 Georgia 0

For one thing, there was Robbie Keane coming off the bench to equal Shay Given’s caps total of 125 and then, just because that’s what he does, scoring on the double to bring his outstanding goal haul for his country to 56. And, for another, there was Richard Dunne also coming off the bench, only in his case to win a gruelling personal battle by ending his year-long exile from the football pitch.

And even though, the anticipated small attendance — officially given as 20,100 — meant this felt more like The Scattering than The Gathering at the Aviva, the day also had real significance for the likes of Shane Long, captaining his country for the first time, along with Wes Hoolahan and Richard Keogh, both of whom were making their first starts at international level. It also turned out to be a landmark occasion for Stephen Quinn who belatedly got to make his senior debut for his country as a substitute.