Soccer: Ireland and Portugal get underway

Ireland's World Cup Qualifier against Portugal is now underway.

Aston Villa veteran Steve Staunton, 32, has been handed his record-equalling 88th cap as Republic manager Mick McCarthy was forced into a late change which further disrupted his defence.

With Kenny Cunningham already ruled out through a stomach muscle injury, Gary Breen failed a test on a groin problem strain and Staunton, normally a full-back, was brought in to a new centre-half pairing with Manchester City youngster Richard Dunne.

There was another surprise when McCarthy named Gary Kelly as his right-midfield choice over Damien Duff, Mark Kennedy and Jason McAteer after right-back Stephen Carr was passed fit following an ankle doubt.