Keane hat-trick puts Ireland back on track

Rep of Ireland 5 San Marino 0:Steve Staunton's caution prior to this game was baffling as the result here was never in question. Never.

San Marino, as expected, lived up to their billing as Europe's lowest ranked side and the Irish supporters trundled out of the old stadium for the last time content with what they had witnessed, but nonetheless a performance they had demanded.

As the players paraded around the pitch afterwards, saluting the fans as the Lansdowne curtain fell for the final time, news of Germany's draw in Cyprus filtered through to put added pep in their step.

The performance was workmanlike, professional, but expected. No whooping and hollering. Staunton and his players of course, will feel relieved to have rubber-stamped an overdue first victory and, indeed, will relish the return trip in February. But San Marino are San Marino and nothing but a goal-fest would have sufficed tonight.

Still, it was pleasing to see Ireland afforded the space to express themselves in the manner which they did. Hat-trick hero Robbie Keane, Damien Duff and Andy Reid were inventive with their distribution and also in the angles they cut. Aiden McGeady showed sparkle on his introduction while the back four and goalkeeper Shay Given were untroubled throughout on a night when it was easy to switch off, such was the lack of action their way.

Unsurprisingly Ireland lorded possession throughout and were camped so far upfield it's a wonder how the visiting defence didn't smother their goalkeeper Federico Valentini. Despite Staunton's caution, nothing of the sort panned out in reality. Indeed, Ireland were comfortably three goals to the good by the half hour and could, and probably should, have converted many more chances both before and after.

Ireland suppressed their lowly opponents in every department, but particularly in midfield where Reid dictated both pace and direction. Nevertheless, the home side endured some sloppy passages with stray and mistimed passes scattering their play early on. But, once Reid settled the nerves with his seventh minute goal, deflected off the wall from a free kick, Ireland soon established their rhythm.

It is, of course, unfair to heavily criticise a side that boasts just two professionals but Giampaolo Mazza's team were frighteningly poor. Game, but poor. Naturally, Ireland willingly diced and sliced through their opponents but at times attacks were overplayed when a more conventional approach would have reaped direct rewards.

The five-man San Marino defence were frequently at sea but with the midfield trio also tracking back to cover, Ireland, at times, found that rearguard difficult to breach. Balls were ultimately clawed and scrambled to safety,with Keane and Kevin Doyle regularly thwarted by stray interventions which the visitors knew little or nothing about.

Still, the home side's trickery and cunning was always going to reap rewards and, after 23 minutes, Doyle directed Kevin Kilbane's cross past Valentini for his first Irish goal at this level. Whatever ambition San Marino might have harboured after that quickly waned. Ireland harried and hassled vigorously and eight minutes later Keane, on his 70th appearance, scored his 27th international goal after collecting and steering home Kilbane's cross from 10 yards.

Keane then doubled his tally for the night early in the second half. Paul McShane, who shone on his debut here last month, jinked his way past a series of challenges before Simone Bacciocchi upended the defender in the box. The Tottenham striker, who relished the freedom afforded him throughout, was cool from the spot, sending Valentini the wrong way.

As the crowd saluted the dilapidated ground with a series of Mexican waves and chorus upon chorus of 'Ole Ole Ole', Ireland continued about their task but, perhaps, without the same menace as they had applied earlier. McGeady posed endless headaches with his slaloming runs but Keane grabbed the plaudits with his hat-trick at the death when bundling Reid's lofted cross home from close range.

Rep of Ireland:Given; Finnan, McShane, Dunne, O'Shea; Duff, A Reid, Carsley, Kilbane; Keane, Doyle. Subs:Douglas for Carsley (50), McGeady for Doyle (63), Lee for Kilbane (79). Booked:McShane (83).

San Marino:F Valentini, C Valentini, Vannucci, Albani, Simoncini, Bacciocchi, Andreini, Bugli, Manuel Marani, Selva, Mariotti. Subs:Michele Marani for Mariotti (58), Crescentini for Vannucci (72), Bonini for Simoncini (80). Booked:Manuel Marani (76).

Referee: Lassin Isaksen(Faroe Islands)