Ireland let lead slip against nervy Italians

Half-time: Republic of Ireland 1 Italy 1

Glenn Whelan got the Irish off to a dream start with a superb eighth-minute opener in their in Group Eight match tonight, only to see the Italians equalise later.

Mauro Camoranesi put the World Cup holders back on track for automatic qualification when he headed home Andrea Pirlo’s 26th-minute corner to draw his side level and bring a halt to the celebrations at a packed Croke Park.

The Irish can go into the second half with their confidence intact however, as the Italian defence has looked unusually nervous in the face of Irish attacks.