Niall Quinn finally broke Frank Stapleton’s international goal scoring record as Ireland slammed four goals past Cyprus at Lansdowne Road this evening.
Celebrating his 35th birthday Quinn landed the second of Ireland’s haul when in the 12th minute he plunged at the back post to head home Kevin Kilbane’s well flighted cross.
Always a favourite with the home fans Quinn was then treated to a chorus of "happy birthday dear Niall" from 35,000 cheering compatriots.
Ireland had taken the lead in just the second minute. Cyprus’ only touch to that point had seen them concede a corner after 50 seconds. They managed to clear that set-piece but made the fatal mistake of conceding a more dangerous one only moments later. A free kick 25 yards out is only ever going to result in one thing if Ian Harte is in form and the Drogheda man curled a beautiful shot into the top corner.
Ireland could have been eight up before the break but a combination of poor finishing mainly by David Connolly and bad luck, principally in the shape of a whistle happy referee, combined to keep the scoreline respectable from the visitors point of view.
After the interval the Irish stampede towards goal continued and Roy Keane, who drove his team mates forward relentlessly, won the ball off his opponent and despite the presence of two Cypriots slipped it through to Quinn in the box but this time the birthday boy reacted too slowly and his shot was blocked.
In the 53rd minute Cyprus created their first real opportunity, Steve Finnan, who had an efficient game at right back, conceded a freekick on the edge of the area and Maurious Christodaulou drifted the ball to the back post where Petros Konnasis escaped the attention of Irish defenders only to head over the bar.
Connolly finally got off the mark in the 64th minute much to his obvious relief, Kilbane played a slick one-two with Quinn before dinking the ball through to Connolly who, with all the time and space in the world, turned and slotted a low shot past Ponayiotou in the Cypriot goal. It was a neat finish from a man whose performance up to that had suggested he wasn’t capable of such effectiveness.
Ireland notched a fourth just minutes later. Matt Holland picked out Keane on the edge of the box and the captain, rarely one to squander such gifts, rifled past the keeper and into the bottom corner