Celtic fans Shay Given and Damien Duff are still on course for a place at the World Cup Finals after last night’s nervous 2-1 win over Cyprus.
Skipper Robbie Keane’s 83rd minute header won the points for Giovanni Trappatoni’s side after Aiden McGeady had appeared as a 66th minute substitute.
It was a difficult surface for McGeady to make an impact on but after making a habit of losing points to late goals last night’s win was especially welcome.
Kevin Doyle had given Ireland the lead in the fifth minute but it was no surprise when Cyprus equalised on the half hour when left-back Elia sent an unstoppable shot past Given.
For reasons best known to themselves the home side barely posed any threat after the break but Ireland toiled to create chances and it looked like two precious qualification points may be slipping by.
Caleb Folan replaced Doyle with fifteen minutes left to play as a more direct route was employed with wingers Duff and McGeady getting little joy from the flanks.
With time running out the Cypriot keeper Sofronis Avgousti took a kamikaze type run off his line leaving Keane with an open goal to head Duff’s cross into the net for his 40th international goal.
The points keep Ireland in second place in the group ahead of their October 10 clash with group leaders Italy at Croke Park.
Great article on former Celtic youth team keeper Shay Given.
