Republic hopes put back on track

Republic of Ireland 1-0 Slovakia:You'd have to wonder how well Steve Staunton has slept this past week, if at all.  Two games were said to define his future and a 180 minutes of heart-wrenching uncertainty. And all this before his players took to the Croke Park turf. Qualification hopes remain alive but a long road still has to be negotiated.  Nevertheless, the manager and squad will relish the autumn resumption, having taken all six points - albeit nervously - from win-or-bust games.

When he needed it most, Staunton's players dug deep.  The show of unity afforded the under-fire manager by those around him during the week was mirrored here on the field of play.  A far more polished performance than Saturday, but yet not without its faults.  Kevin Doyle's early goal helped settle the home side but, as against Wales, Ireland struggled to protect their slender lead late in the game.  But for Richard Dunne's sterling work at the death, the visitors could have thwarted Ireland's qualification hopes and, perhaps the manager's fate.  Staunton, though, lives to fight another day.

Kick-off was delayed 15 minutes due to crowd congestion and those reaching their seats late must have squirmed uneasily at the sight of Slovak pressure.  The visitors pushed forward repeatedly in the opening five minutes; more so than Wales managed in their entirety last weekend.  Still, for all their bluster, their work was poorly orchestrated and rarely threatening.

Indeed, the home support may well have feared the worst but gradually Ireland got to grips with their opponents.  Almost to a man, Staunton's players grafted and inspired with progress up-field both smooth and creative.  Steve Finnan was again deployed at left back rather than right but fluidity down the flank was noticeably improved from Saturday.

Finnan linked well with Damien Duff, the Newcastle player reveling out wide and turning tricks for fun.  Following a series of below-par performances it would appear Duff is finding his form again.  His unpredictability and sense of awareness inspired those around him and frustrated Peter Singlar and Igor Zofcak, both of whom spent the night chasing shadows.

Infield, too, the home side were noticeably improved and in tune.  Staleness in midfield against Wales set foundations for a sluggish performance, but with Lee Carsley winning a ferocious amount of ball and Kevin Kilbane feeding off it, Ireland penetrated frequently.  Out-of-sorts four days ago, Kilbane cut a more impressive figure, spraying ball forward intelligently and, in turn, flummoxing a Slovakian midfield that spent much of the game back-tracking.

As disappointing as Wales were, they still proved hard to break down.  Slovakia were a classier outfit but still their back-four proved porous and careless, a fact not lost on the home side.  Stephen Ireland, conniving and scheming throughout, linked well with the quartet behind while also complimenting Kevin Doyle who led the line alone up front.  One sensed Slovakia would struggle if found a goal down and, just 12 minutes in, that reality hit them hard.

A wall of green shirts lurked with menace in the Slovakian box as Duff whipped in an in-swinging free.  Doyle, though, proved most alert and, having wrestled his way in front of the imposing Martin Skrtel, he glanced a near post header neatly to the bottom corner of Kamil Contofalsky's goal.  It proved just rewards for a striker all but sidelined since January.

Slovakia threatened briefly thereafter but the defence in which Staunton has placed so much confidence held firm.  Still, Shay Given was at full stretch to bat-away Robert Vittek's shot but the effort was going wide anyhow.  Zofcak, too, tested the goalkeeper but his shot from distance was poor and the defender was better served holding up play for his overlapping team-mates.

Duff, clearly reveling in his new-found confidence, was at times too eager to please.  Early in the second half, having skipped past two defenders, he burst into the box.  But, with the visiting rearguard scrambling, he elected to take on another man rather than feed unmarked Ireland who, with a choice pass, had the goal at his mercy.  Maros Klimpl, however, timed his tackle to perfection, thwarting Duff and leaving Ireland enraged in the process.

Buoyed by that crucial interception, Slovakia surged in confidence and, having lived dangerously for lengthy spells, improved collectively.  Their approach work was more structured, and the erratic passing and mistimed runs of the first half made way for an altogether more cohesive game plan.  But for Paul McShane's lunging tackle on Martin Jakubko, the sides could have been level with half an hour remaining.

Like Saturday, Staunton's players struggled to retain possession in the second half.  Alarmingly, the manner in which they failed to contain players whom they had bossed just minutes earlier ensured a tense closing spell.  Stephen Hunt and Shane Long's introduction for Ireland and Doyle respectively did rouse supporters, some of whom had started to boo their team's sudden hesitancy.

Indeed, the substitution almost paid immediate dividends when Long's header from Hunt's corner required Vratislav Gresko's goal-line clearance to prevent the hosts doubling their advantage.  Moments later, the Reading striker spurned a clear-cut chance when heading Hunt's superb cross wide when unmarked in the box.  Slovakia rallied at the death but both Given and Dunne were on hand to deny substitute Filip Holosko.

On the whistle Staunton thumped the night-sky with delight, perhaps relief, but most certainly in defiance of the begrudgers.  He'll rest easier tonight.

Rep of Ireland:  Given; O'Shea, McShane, Dunne, Finnan; McGeady, Carsley, Kilbane, Duff; Ireland; Doyle.  Subs:  Hunt for Ireland (70), Long for Doyle (74), Quinn for McGeady (87).

Slovakia: Contofalsky, Singlar, Skrtel, Klimpl, Gresko, Zofcak, Borbely, Svento, Sapara, Vittek, Jakubko.  Subs:  Holosko for Sapara (72), Sestak for Singlar (80) Michalik for Svento (87)  Booked:  Klimpl (81)

Referee:  Yuri Baskakov (Russia).