UEFA Under 21/Republic of Ireland 5 Estonia 0: THE REPUBLIC of Ireland under-21 side gave new manager Noel King a perfect start to his reign by securing their first competitive win since November 2007 against Estonia last night.
King had the luxury of naming five players with senior international experience for the Uefa Championships qualifier at Tallaght Stadium.
Anthony Stokes, who had a tempestuous relationship with previous manager Don Givens, was joined by fellow senior caps James McCarthy, Eddie Nolan, Stephen Gleeson and Cillian Sheridan.
Stokes was playing his first under-21 game since March 2008 and he only took 15 minutes to show his quality by smashing home the opening goal.
The Hibernian striker, Stokes, controlled a deep right-wing cross by McCarthy that evaded the Estonian defence then produced a thunderous strike to net from 12-yards out.
The Estonian defence failed to cope with Stokes once more in the 29th minute when he cut in from the left and won a penalty following a clumsy challenge by Marek Jaljumae. Stokes showed confidence by stepping up to dink home with the spot-kick.
McCarthy duly made it 3-0 in the 62nd minute when he slotted home from six-yards after Stokes had burst down the left before dragging the ball back for the Wigan star.
Seamus Coleman made it 4-0 when he deflected home a shot by Garvan after a clever pass by Conor Hourihane.
Garvan completed the scoring in the 91st minute after more good work by Stokes.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Henderson; Coleman (Oyebanjo 87), Kiernan, Nolan, Gunning, Gleeson, McCarthy (Hourihane 82), Garvan, Clifford, Stokes, Sheridan (Judge 77).
ESTONIA: Meerits; Kaljumae (Jevdokimov 63), Jahhimovits, Artjunin, Teniste, Frolov (Pebre 37), Tenno, Puri, Kallaste, Dmitrijev, Alliku (Anier 68).
Referee: P Van Boekel (Holland).
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