Ireland/Estonia: Latest report

Ian Harte tested Estonia goalkeeper Martin Kaalma with a 25-yard free-kick in the first 30 seconds as the Republic of Ireland started with Damien Duff in place of Robbie Keane alongside Niall Quinn in attack.

Kaalma was equal to the curler, catching safely just under the crossbar to the applause of the Estonia fans who only just about outnumbered the Irish supporters in a capacity crowd of around 9,000 at the new Lillekula Stadium.

The pitch was bumpy and worn but rolled better than the under-21 international between the two sides last night and the Irish made a very confident start.

Richard Dunne gave them a ninth-minute lead with a simple toe-poke from four yards after a far-post corner by Steve Staunton, skipper in his record-breaking 89th international, was knocked back into the six-yard box by Harte.

It was centre-back Dunne’s third goal for his country in nine appearances.

Dunne got away with a slip at the other end two minutes later when goalkeeper Shay Given dashed out to kick clear when Indrek Zelinski raced after a through-ball from Martin Reim.

But it was a rare opening for Estonia who had not settled at all in the opening 20 minutes and let Ireland dictate the game.

Kaalma stopped Duff putting the visitors two ahead after 17 minutes when he blocked the Blackburn winger’s shot and then stretched a leg to deflect away Duff’s follow-up effort from a narrow angle.

Kevin Kilbane volleyed over after Quinn headed down a Gary Kelly cross from the right.

Matthew Holland put Ireland's second goal away.

Latest score:

Ireland 2

Estonia 0