Ireland all square with Albania at interval

Republic of Ireland 1 Albania 1

Robbie Keane gave the Republic of Ireland a flying start to today’s European Championship qualifier with a goal after only six minutes, before Albania hit back to level just two minutes later.

Tottenham striker Keane showed his class when he had his back to goal, and in one swift movement he turned and steered the ball past Albanian goalkeeper Foto Strakosha to record his 15th international goal.

But Brian Kerr’s men, playing their first competitive match at Lansdowne Road under the new boss, got caught at the back after eight minutes when Altin Rraklli crossed from the right and Ervin Skela had time and space to guide the ball beyond Shay Given.