Republic win in emphatic style

So in just over a year Stephen Staunton has reversed the scoreline when hammered at home 4-0 to Holland by inflicting the same thrashing out to Denmark in their own backyard. Maybe it was a fitting tribute for Stan and his family as he buried his father Tom just the day before the game. The Danes started well with a nice bit of football that had the youthful Irish team being forced to defend. A Danish effort of the post before Irelands opener could have changed the game.

The Irish Captain Robbie Keane fired his 30th senior international goal when set up by the brilliant Andy Reid. Aiden Mcgeady fed Reid who in turn slipped a sublime pass to Robbie who chipped in a fine effort. It wasn't long before he had to wait to celebrate his 31st goal when Reid supplied Aiden Mcgeady on the right wing and the Celtic winger put in a beautiful cross. Keane was lucky the goalkeeper Jesper Christiansen made a mess of the clearance and it bounced in off the captains shoulder.

The manager left out Kevin Kilbane for an attacking young team although the Wigan man did appear after the break to become the 5th most capped player in our history. Our midfield comprised of Darren Potter,Reid,Mcgeady and Hunt. Irish fans are left hoping this will be the next generation to bring us back to another World Cup.

In the second half both teams made a few substitutions. Readings Shane Long came in for club teammate Kevin Doyle. He looked lively and Darren Gibsons effort created another error for the hapless Christiansen for Long to react and slot the ball home.



Long then made it 4-0 halfway through the 2nd half. He rolled Danish defender William Kvist with minimal effort before placing a lovely finish past the keeper in the left hand side of the net.

Arsenal new boy Bendtner headed another effort against the post late in the match as the Danes searched for a consolation but this was a great day to be Irish.

DENMARK
J. Christensen - Bogelund (Kvist, 45), Gravgaard (Laursen, 45), Agger, N. Jensen (Kristiansen, 45) - Rommedahl, D. Jensen (Kahlenberg, 45), Wurtz (Lovenkrands, 68), Gronkjaer - Tomasson (Nordstrand, 59), Bendtner.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Henderson - Carr, Dunne, O'Shea, Finnan (Kilbane, 62) - McGeady, Potter (Kelly, 68), A. Reid (Gibson, 45), Hunt (Keogh, 45) - Keane (Murphy, 56), Doyle (Long, 45).