Both sides were reduced to ten men shortly before half time with Liverpool midfielder Darren Potter dismissed in his third game of the tournament.
The result sees them easily through to the second phase, with their next fixture taking place against Group D runners-up Colombia on Tuesday December 9 at 5pm Irish-time.
In front of 10,730 spectators, the Irish, showing four changes from the XI which braved out a 2-2 draw with the Ivory Coast on Tuesday, took their second win in three games, knowing that even a 1-0 defeat would have seen them comfortably through to next week’s second phase. Earlier the Ivory Coast and Saudi Arabia had played out a tempestuous 0-0 draw, with six yellow cards being shared out between the sides. The Africans qualify second behind Ireland.
Smith showed the depth of talent within the squad with Swansea’s Brian Murphy starting in goal and Paddy McCarthy recalled at centre half. Michael Foley of Liverpool came in for David Bell in midfield and Cork City striker Kevin Doyle got the start up front beside the in-form Stephen Elliott.
Longford Town defender Stephen Paisley netted his second goal in successive games, heading home a pinpoint right wing free kick from Manchester City’s Willo Flood ten minutes before the half-time break.
Another eircom League starlet Kevin Doyle had been in impressive form through the opening half hour, going inches over when flicking on a Stephen Elliott cross in the 14th minute, and setting up the tournament’s joint top scorer Elliott five minutes later. Mexican goalkeeper Jose Martinez did well on that occasion to parry his header to safety.
At the other end, defender Ricardo Jiminez’ header on 26 minutes which forced a fingertip save from Murphy was the only danger to the Irish goal. The game flared into life just before the break when Darren Potter tangled with Mexican midfielder Jesus Palacios, with both earning straight red cards from Brazilian referee Wilson Souza.
Gerry Smith’s side received a scare just eight minutes into the second half when Paddy McCarthy was beaten inside the Republic penalty area, but there was relief all round when striker Aldo De Nigris shot into the side-netting.
With eight minutes remaining and two Mexican assistant coaches banished from the touch line, Tottenham defender Kelly made sure of the result when he drifted in from the right flank to slot home Eamon Zayed’s cross to an empty net, following a misjudgement by ‘keeper Jose Martinez in the air.