Republic of Ireland 3-0 Cyprus
Morrison 33
Reid 38
Keane 55 pen
Just like their Under 21 counterparts in Kilkenny on Friday night, the Irish smashed 3 past the Cypriots. And just like his Under 21 counterpart on Friday night Brian Murphy, keeper Shay Given had one of his more relaxing outings for Ireland as he was troubled only once in the 90 minutes.
After a slight delay before kick-off the game got underway under rays of sunshine and Ireland quickly gained supremacy against the minnows.
With no Roy Keane, Matt Holland or Liam Miller in midfield Graham Kavanagh and Kevin Kilbane were given the job of spreading play and breaking the rare Cyprus attacks. Kerr was playing unconfident Clinton Morrison and Robbie Keane who wasn't 100% fit. Therefore alot of Ireland's early play was produced by Kavanagh and Youngster Andy Reid, who was making his competitive bow.
Morrison's confidence wasn't helped by his failure to connect with an Andy Reid free kick in the 13th minute. But with Robbie Keane failing to have his usual impact for the side, the chances still felt Morrison's way and 9 minutes later another Reid cross was this time met with Morrison steering a diving header straight at the goalkeeper.
As Ireland dominated, Cyprus rarely got out of their own half and never threatened a strong Irish backline. Of that backline John O'Shea hit a ferocious
shot at goal in the 25th minute only for it to be parried away by the keeper.
Kilbane and Keane had chances also to give Ireland the lead but it was the man underr pressure Clinton Morrison who capitalised in the 33rd. Cyprus were now low on confidence of their own and soon after Andystruck with a truly magnificent shot from 23 yards. Brian Kerr said at the beginning of the match, "The guy has got a bit of talent", understatement of the year?
Cyprus had been happy to foul the Irish in the first half and rightly so Konstantinou and Charalampaidis were booked.
Nothing changed in the second half as the gulf between the two teams was evident. Within ten minutes the boisterous Cypriots had allowed the slippery Damien Duff, who was watched by club boss Jose Mourinho, in the box and he was upended. Penalty for Ireand and Robbie Keane produced one of the coolest finishes you will ever see as he slotted in the Green Armys 3rd.
Afterwards the Cyprus No.9 Okkas shoved his way through the defence only to see his shot saved well from Given. Late on Finnan, Maybury and Alan Lee were introduced to allow Morrison, O'Shea and Carr to rest ahead of Wednesday.