Kelly starts for Ireland against Georgia

Republic of Ireland defender Stephen Kelly was handed a first competitive start under Giovanni Trapattoni in tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Georgia.

The 25-year-old Stoke full-back, as expected, was drafted into the starting line-up after Paul McShane failed to recover from a hamstring injury.

There was a place too for Blackburn midfielder Keith Andrews in the only other change to the side which started the 1-0 victory over Cyprus in October as Manchester United youngster Darron Gibson made way.

Georgia boss Hector Cuper named only six of the men who started the 2-1 defeat by Ireland in Germany in September, among them AC Milan defender Kakha Kaladze, although dangerman Levan Kenia was missing.