International soccer: Doherty gives Mick selection headache

Republic of Ireland 2 USA 1

Gary Doherty grabbed an 84th-minute winner to give Mick McCarthy a victory on his 60th game in charge - and leave him with something to think about as he finalises his squad for the World Cup finals.

Charlton midfielder Mark Kinsella scored his third international goal to give the Republic a dream start at Lansdowne Road, netting after only five minutes when he hooked home Steve Finnan’s right wing cross from six yards.

The USA - five places above the Republic in the FIFA rankings at 13 - hit back after 34 minutes when Eddie Pope slipped Rory Delap and headed home John O’Brien’s left wing corner.

But Doherty popped up at the far post to seal the win with a downward header from Steve Staunton’s free-kick.

There were wholesale changes at half-time, with McCarthy making six changes and his American counterpart Bruce Arena making five.

Off for the Republic went Finnan, Harte, O’Brien, Kinsella, Duff and Kilbane. On came Kenny Cunningham, David Connolly, Gary Kelly, Matt Holland, Steve Staunton and Steven Reid.

The USA took off Friedel, Berhalter, O’Brien, Stewart and Brian McBride. On came Kasey Keller, Greg Vanney, Eddie Lewis, Landon Donovan and Moore.

Within a minute of the restart the Irish charged down the left and a cross from Reid was headed into Keller’s arms by Delap.

McCarthy had promised not to overdo it with players who were involved in important fixtures for their clubs at the weekend, and he was true to his word with those changes.

The substitutes at least benefited from better weather, as the rain stopped during the interval.

After 58 minutes Keller was smartly off his line to save at the feet of Connolly.

There was a further change after 62 minutes when Josh Wolff replaced Mathis for the US.

Keane did well again after 65 minutes when he beat two men and played the ball wide on the right to Delap, but his cross was too close to Keller, who made the catch.

Despite plenty of effort, it was not the best of matches for the likes of Delap to make an impression on his manager, and the numerous substitutions interrupted the flow.

After 67 minutes Lewis crossed for Wolff, but his header was meat and drink for Given to claim.

Perhaps the most poignant change came after 70 minutes when Tottenham’s Gary Doherty out since September with a broken ankle came on for skipper Gary Breen.

The USA took that opportunity to rest Reyna, replacing him with Frankie Hejduk.

Clinton Morrison completed the substitutions, replacing Keane after 83 minutes.

Doherty was then the hero as he headed home the winner after 84 minutes, meeting Staunton’s free-kick from the right with a downward header at the far post.

That will have given McCarthy something to think about as he finalises his 23-man squad for the World Cup finals.