Sell-out crowd see Ireland take on Hiroshima

Even without captain Roy Keane, Ireland attracted a sell-out crowd of 11,000 for today’s friendly against J-League side Sanfrecce Hiroshima here in the Hamayama Stadium.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima v Republic of Ireland

Even without captain Roy Keane, Ireland attracted a sell-out crowd of 11,000 for today’s friendly against J-League side Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the Hamayama Stadium.

It is Ireland's final warm-up game before the opener against Cameroon this time next week.

Manchester United star Keane was the one player the locals knew best - but he was absent after being axed from the squad by Mick McCarthy following his verbal attack on the manager in Saipan on Thursday.

Mark Kinsella took Keane’s place in the centre of midfield as McCarthy made three changes to the team which lost 2-1 to Nigeria in Dublin.

Gary Kelly came in at right-back to replace Fulham’s Steve Finnan, who has an ankle problem.

Manchester City’s Richard Dunne returned to partner new captain Steve Staunton in the heart of defence, filling in for Wimbledon’s Kenny Cunningham, who has a hamstring injury.