Finland 0 Republic of Ireland 3 (Keane 12, Healy 75, Barrett 82)
Ireland: Kiely (Given 76), Kelly, Harte (Barrett 77), Cunningham (Doherty 47), Breen, Carsley (Holland 86), McAteer (Healy 46), Kinsella (McPhail 44), Duff (Delap 48), Keane (Goodwin 83), Butler (Kilbane 45).
Bookings: None; Attendance: 12225
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In what was Mick McCarthy’s 99th international game in charge of the Republic, it’s most interesting to note that since then we’ve lost the manager and seven of the twenty players used that day have either just played on one more occasion for their country or not played at all.
Gary Kelly and Jason McAteer have retired from the international stage, whilst debutantes Graham Barrett and Jim Goodwin await their next caps. Midfielders Stephen McPhail, Rory Delap and Thomas Butler have all played again but haven’t figured in the Irish set-up since Brian Kerr’s arrival.
Since last August Ireland have played ten internationals, comprising of six Euro 2004 qualifiers and four friendly internationals, winning six times, drawing twice and losing on two occasions, to Russia and Switzerland.
There has been a return of fourteen goals in those games, with Gary Doherty and Clinton Morrison joint top scorers with three goals apiece. There have been just six individual goal scorers with two own goals also included.