Ireland beat Georgia - report

Republic of Ireland 2 Georgia 0

Ireland’s “Mission: Impossible” took another giant step towards becoming reality as they climbed into second spot in Group 10 with a comfortable victory over Georgia at Lansdowne Road.

When Brian Kerr took charge in January, the boys in green looked down and out having lost both their opening Euro 2004 qualifying matches to Russia and Switzerland.

But miracle-worker Kerr has turned around the team’s fortunes and after claiming their third win from his four competitive matches in charge they not only have second place in their sights and a place in the play-offs, but will also fancy their chances of overhauling leaders Switzerland and going to Portugal as group winners.

For that to happen, the Irish need to beat Russia at home in September and then win in Switzerland a month later – but when you ride the Republic of Ireland rollercoaster you soon realise anything is possible.

Ireland’s goals came courtesy of their two Tottenham strikers Gary Doherty - the team’s leading scorer in the campaign with three goals – and Robbie Keane, who took on the starring role in the absence of Damien Duff, who failed to recover from the knee injury he suffered in Saturday’s 2-1 win here over Albania.

The fantastic Irish fans were kept waiting for 42 minutes before their heroes scored, after Keane won a free-kick on the left when he had his heels clipped from behind.

Kevin Kilbane curled in a deep centre and Doherty – who scored the winner in Georgia in March – met it with a firm downward header which squeezed inside the far post. Goalkeeper Georgi Lomaia did get a hand to it but could only help the ball into the net.

Keane made things more comfortable when he poached one of his typical goals after 58 minutes. Lee Carsley chipped the ball over the top inside the box and Keane took it on his chest before stroking it past the helpless goalkeeper.

Keane celebrated his second goal of the campaign and 16th for his country with his trademark back flip, and Lansdowne Road was bursting with noise once again - a Mexican wave broke out and there were memories of this time last year when Ireland were enjoying the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea.

With Duff missing through injury, Kerr also left out Mark Kinsella and David Connolly, with Carsley, Doherty and surprise starter Colin Healy in the team instead. They reverted to their familiar 4-4-2 formation and dominated against a weak Georgian team.

It was left to Keane to take on the role of playmaker and he was here, there and everywhere as he teased the Georgians with his skill. He helped set up the move which nearly gave Ireland the lead after 10 minutes.

Keane took a short corner on the left and got the return from Stephen Carr, before cutting past two defenders and delivering a deep cross. Gary Breen headed the ball back across the face of goal, Doherty flicked it on and John O’Shea sent in a downward header from six yards which was narrowly wide.

Ireland should have scored after 18 minutes. Carr crossed deep from the right, Doherty nodded down at the far post, and with the goal at his mercy Kilbane sliced his shot over the crossbar. But the team’s persistence paid off and Doherty finally found a way through to end the first half on a high.

The fans didn’t have to wait quite so long for the second goal as Keane struck 13 minutes after the break.

It was comfortable for the Irish, although Shay Given made one or two important saves when tested by the Georgians.

The only sour note was the news that Switzerland remained on top of the group by beating Albania 3-2 in the night’s other game, but that was not going to spoil the party atmosphere in Dublin.

Kerr’s men came into this week’s double-header needing nothing less than six points and they can now enjoy their summer break knowing it was mission accomplished.