Time taken to remember Kerr

Republic of Ireland v Sweden Reaction: The sceptics will have to wait. Ireland, with Damien Duff in devastating form down Southampton fullback Alexander Ostlund's flank, put on a comprehensive show last night to ensure the 44,109 paying customers forgot about the chill.

Along with the new blood, like Stephen Ireland, and a fresh formation, Duff put Sweden's World Cup qualifying campaign into perspective.

Still, in the immediate aftermath of this convincing victory over England's opponents in Germany, Duff and new captain Robbie Keane refused to rub salt in the wounds of the man who guided them though the age grades.

Brian Kerr may be gone and a new reign successfully underway but the two senior men in this fledging squad felt the need to express their regret that Kerr's time ended so meekly.

"It was a good performance tonight as much as a good result and that was great because it was important to send the fans home happy," said Duff. "We all loved Brian and it didn't work out but it's a new era and we are all looking forward now."

His first goal in two and half years was shrugged off in his normal laid back manner. "Yeah, it's always nice - I'm due one. Hopefully there is a lot more to come."

Then to Keane the captain. "I thought it was a tremendous performance. The lads tried out there. How well we worked as a team was important. The professionalism. It's always nice to start out with a result. Damien got us off to a flyer, you know, and from there we didn't look back."

On scoring the second and his 26th international goal a minute into the second half Keane ignored the usual somersault to seek out Mick Byrne in the dugout. Lazarus returned to the physio table.

The question of a renewed team spirit was put to him.

"The team spirit here was always great, under Brian as well, so you can't say I wasn't happy before because I was but to have Mick Byrne back is always nice. You see all the lads and how much they love Mick. That was just my way of saying it's nice to have you back."

In adding to his responsibilities, Steve Staunton asked Keane to increase his presence in the game with a deeper role. It was hardly a success but he was eager to try it.

"Stan asked me to play there. I love coming off deep anyway. He told the three lads to stay up there. He told me to try and get involved in the game. In the opening 20 minutes they made it difficult for us. They played very tight but once Damien got the goal it opened up and we started passing. We didn't look back from there."

If any one player pushed Duff for man of the match it was Manchester City centre back Richard Dunne. He looked so secure that it's a wonder Gary Breen and Andy O'Brien kept him to just 27 caps over the years.

Dunne's crunching tackle on Tobias Linderoth, which ensured the muddied Swede had no interest in taking any further part in the contest, showed his willingness to follow in the footsteps of the hardest of Irish defenders down through the years.

"We've set the standard now I suppose. It was a great start under Stan especially considering how disappointed we were with not making the World Cup," said Dunne. "We might start gaining more respect around Europe after that result. Teams will know we are smack on form. It is also important that we make this a difficult place for others."