Elliot gets his chance

Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr took a major gamble by handing striker Stephen Elliott his first competitive start for this World Cup qualifier against the minnows of the Faroe Islands

With Robbie Keane sidelined with a shoulder injury sustained in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Lansdowne Road, Kerr preferred Sunderland’s Elliott ahead of Gary Doherty in attack.

Midfielder Roy Keane and right-back Stephen Carr returned to the side after serving a one-match ban against the Israelis, while John O’Shea joined captain Kenny Cunningham at the heart of the defence with Andy O’Brien suspended following his dismissal on Saturday.

Fog had earlier today forced the cancellation of a number of flights carrying Ireland fans into the Faroes, resulting in one of the smallest-ever travelling supports for the boys in green, with around 300 watching the team at the exposed Torsvollur stadium.

Faroe Islands: Mikkelsen, Hansen, Danielsen, Johannesen, Olsen, Rogvi Jacobsen, Benjaminsen, Johnsson, Lakjuni, Jorgensen, Flotum.

Subs: Horg, Borg, Christian Hogni Jacobsen, Frederiksberg, Knudsen, Akselsen, Hojsted.

Rep of Ireland: Given, Carr, O’Shea, Cunningham, Harte, Andy Reid, Roy Keane, Kilbane, Duff, Morrison, Elliott.

Subs: McCarthy, Holland, Steven Reid, Kavanagh, Kenny, Doherty, Lee.

Referee: Anton Guenov (Bulgaria)