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Ireland fail to shine but do enough against Wales

Saturday 24th March 2007, 7:24 pm

Stephen Ireland celebrates what proved to be the winning goal.

Photo by Tom Carey.

Ireland ground out a 1-0 win over Wales in today's Euro 2008 qualifier at Croke Park in Dublin. Although the performance was poor, the result keeps alive Ireland's outside hopes of a top two finish.

Stephen Ireland was again the Irish hero, taking the ball around Daniel Coyne to score the only goal of the game on 39 minutes.

Both managers went into the game under pressure and although a win preserves Steve Staunton's lacklustre regime, Welsh boss John Toshack may not have any more chances.

Robbie Keane dragged a shot wide in the early going following a short corner routine. At the other end, Paul McShane got back to block from Ryan Giggs as the Welsh skipper threatened.

Ryan Giggs battling between Irish defenders Richard Dunne and Paul McShane.

Photo by Tom Carey.

Simon Davies headed off target from Joseph Ledley's cross as Shay Given again went untested.

Midway through the half and Keane again scuffed a shot off target. Although the game marked the significant first time a soccer international had been played at the GAA venue, there was little quality to match the occasion.

Craig Bellamy might have changed the complexion of the game on the half hour. He pounced as Richard Dunne lost possession to bear down on Given. The Irish keeper was again at his best to come out bravely and thwart his ex club-mate - picking up a knock in the process.

Keane almost got in moments later after a Welsh defensive slip. In similar circumstances Damien Duff too almost nipped in.

Stephen Hunt ran the Welsh defence ragged and his runs prompted two bookings.

Photo by Tom Carey.

The only goal arrived six minutes before the interval when Ireland tore in behind the Welsh defence and brought the ball around Coyne before slotting home.

Staunton resisted half-time changes as Ireland created a couple of long range efforts from Lee Carsley and Duff.

Although it was a good battling half, neither keeper was over-worked in the second period. Given saved from Carl Robinson after the hour before Keane picked up a needless booking after a foul on Carl Fletcher. The booking rules the Irish skipper out of Wednesday's game.

Kevin Doyle's shot came back off the Welsh crossbar.

Photo by Tom Carey.

Ireland had a narrow escape in the closing twenty minutes as Bellamy flicked at a Giggs cross in front of goal.

Kevin Doyle was surprisingy left on the bench but brought a new dimension to the game after his introduction and club-mate Stephen Hunt terrorized the Welsh defence following his arrival later.

Kilbane had a header blocked into the side netting as Ireland looked to kill the game off. Although Wales didn't create much, they did break a number of times, often thanks to some sloppy Irish play.

A measure of Hunt's impact was seen by the bookings of two Welsh players for fouls on the winger - even though the Reading man only played for just over ten minutes.

Robbie Keane had a hopeful appeal for a penalty turned down after Carl Robinson's challenge.

Photo by Tom Carey.

Doyle hammered a volley against the angle of post and crossbar in the 81st minute. Minutes later Robbie Keane had penalty shouts waved away when he went down under what looked a good challenge from Robinson. A surging right wing move from Kilbane had caused the Welsh problems although Robinson seemed to get enough of the ball.

The result adds another very important three points to the Irish qualifying total and another three against Slovakia on Wednesday night is the minimum required to keep hopes alive.

Ireland : Given, O'Shea, Finnan, Dunne, McShane, Carsley, Douglas (Hunt 80), Ireland (Doyle 59), Kilbane, Duff, Keane (McGeady 89).
Wales : Coyne, Ricketts, Bale (D Collins 74), J Collins, Evans, Nyatanga, Ledley (Fletcher 46), Robinson (Ester 90), Giggs, Davies, Bellamy.