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Irish eyes smiling

Last updated : 12 February 2009 By Paul Jennings
Georgia came to Croke Park feeling they owed us one after we refused to play in Tiblisi following their war with the Russians. Alexander Iashvili's first minute goal then left the Irish crowd wondering would it be our night. They even had the cheek to hit the post and have a goal disallowed but it wasn't until a controversial penalty decision which brought Ireland level that changed the game.

Robbie Keane was amongst fans who think the world of the Dubliner and it showed in his celebrations. Anfield must seem a long way off now, although the penalty was a choker for the Georgians. Replays show it was a bad decision with a handball from the Georgian defender. You have to feel for the brave Georgian fight and they played with spirit. It didn't stop Robbie Keane netting his 36th International goal from the resulting penalty.

Minutes later Irish pressure told, and Kevin Doyle planted a powerful header goalbound the keeper had to make an amazing save. They took the lead from the resulting corner after Aiden McGeady put the ball on Robbie Keanes head and he flicked it past the helpless goalkeeper Giorgi Lomaia. It was the Dubliners 37th goal in 86 matches and it was a night to saviour for the lucky Irish.

Republic of Ireland

Given, Kelly, Dunne, O'Shea, Kilbane, McGeady, Whelan, Andrews, Duff (Hunt, 80), Keane, Doyle.

Georgia

Lomaia, Lobjanidze, Kaladze, Khizanishvili, Kvirkvelia, Razmadze, Menteshashvili (Khmaladze, 70), Kobiashvili ,Gotsiridze (Merebashvili, 67), Siradze (Aleksidze, 77), Iashvili.