IRELAND BEAT GERMANY AT THE AVIVA

Shane Long's 14th international goal handed the Republic of Ireland a priceless win over world champions Germany and blew the race for Euro 2016 qualification wide open.

The Southampton striker came off the bench to thump a 70th-minute thunderbolt past the helpless Manuel Neuer to hand the Republic their biggest competitive victory since they defeated Holland in a World Cup play-off in 2001.

Ireland's success, coupled with Poland's 2-2 draw with Scotland, means that Martin O'Neill's men are guaranteed a top-three finish and a play-off place at worst, but they will head for Warsaw on Sunday knowing they could still top Group D.
It was a night for heroes at the Aviva Stadium as Martin O'Neill's depleted team stood firm in the face of a German onslaught and took their chance when it came in front of a delirious full house of 50,604.

O'Neill sprang something of a surprise when, with defenders Seamus Coleman and Ciaran Clark injured and midfielder Glenn Whelan suspended, he handed Burnley defender Stephen Ward a first cap since November last year with only a single Capital One Cup appearance to his name this season.

Richard Keogh, Cyrus Christie and, again to raised eyebrows, Daryl Murphy also got the nod against a Germany side featuring seven of the men who played in the World Cup final in Brazil last summer.

Predictably, Joachim Low's men dominated possession. Less predictably, they failed to do a great deal with it as Ireland keepers Shay Given and Darren Randolph, who replaced the injured 39-year-old two minutes before the break, did not have a single save of note to make.

For that, they were indebted to skipper John O'Shea, who blocked Ilkay Gundogan's 13th-minute shot over his own bar, and central defensive partner Richard Keogh who managed to prevent Mesut Ozil from reaching Matthias Ginter's cross two minutes later.

                    

The visitors thought they had taken the lead when Thomas Muller drove the ball across the penalty area and inside the far post as Ozil tried to get there ahead of Given, although whether or not he got a touch was irrelevant as the offside flag halted German celebrations.

Ireland were able to muster little going forward in front of a boisterous home crowd well aware of Poland's early goal, with Wes Hoolahan and Robbie Brady - released back into midfield by Ward's inclusion - attempting to link with Murphy and Jonathan Walters.
However, they rode their luck as time ran down when Ozil met another Muller cross unmarked but steered his left-foot effort wide.
There was little let-up after the break as Germany pressed Ireland ever deeper, but once again, the Republic responded in dogged fashion.

They were almost undone 10 minutes after the restart when Marco Reus latched on to a long clearance and crossed for substitute Andre Schurrle, whose volley at full stretch flew high and wide.

The game was opening up, although at times dangerously so for O'Neill's side, although the home fans were off their seat with 64 minutes gone when Murphy blasted a long-range effort just wide of the upright after Hoolahan's initial shot had been blocked by Mats Hummels.

Long replaced Murphy almost immediately and the newcomer had only five minutes to wait for his big moment, running on to Randolph's clearance and hammering the ball past the stranded Neuer to raise the roof at the Aviva.

Hummels and Muller passed up glorious opportunities to level in quick succession and Jerome Boateng and Gundogan both forced Randolph into important - if routine - saves as time ran down, but Ireland were not to be denied.

The clocked ticked agonisingly through four minutes of stoppage time before referee Carlos Carballo's whistle sparked mass celebration on and off the pitch.

Poland's late equaliser means Ireland must defeat them on Sunday in Warsaw to automatically qualify for France 2016, but we are already in the play-off's at worst.

IRELAND QUALIFY FOR EURO 2012 WITH 1-1 DRAW V ESTONIA

The Republic of Ireland have qualified for their first major tournament in ten years by drawing with Estonia 1-1 at a sell-out Aviva Stadium to go through 5-1 on aggregate.

It wasn't a brilliant performance by Trapattoni's team, indeed it felt like a bit of an anti-climax after Friday's heroics in Tallinn in defeating Estonia 4-0.

All Ireland had to do, like the supporters, was to show up.

Ireland began the brighter and sharper and they did with both Robbie Keane and Damian Duff had several shots blocked in the first five minutes.

It was left to Steven Ward to score after a Londak save from a corner for the Wolves full-back to score his 2nd goal for Ireland in nine starts on 31 minutes.

Ireland played some nice football in the first-half with some good passing and movement, obviously under instruction from Manager Giovanni Trapatton pass the ball to feet, instead of the usual long-ball approach evident during his reign to date.

While it was certainly more attractive to watch, it was less effective to behold.

Ireland had ten shots on target in the game yet only scored one goal.

As half- time approached, the capacity-crowd of 51,151 engaged in the Mexican-Wave which must have proved distracting for the players.

Tarmo Ruuti's Estonia sensing a result went at Ireland in the 2nd-half and despite alot of wayward shooting, eventually got a goal they scarcely deserved when Vasselijev beat Shay Given with a dipping shot on 57mins to make it 1-1 on the night and 5-1 over two legs for Ireland.

Ireland had several shots saved from Richard Dunne from a corner and a McGeady cross was well gathered by Londak, Kevin Doyle headed  a Fahey free-kick wide in injury-time.

But it was all immaterial as Ireland coasted through to Euro 2012 next Summer.

The players did a lap of honour after the game as this is the first time an Irish team had qualified for a major final on home soil.

Well done to Trapattoni and the players on this significent achievement.

The actual draw for the finals takes place on the 2nd of December, we qualify as fourth seeds in the draw, so we are in for a tough group, still, its great to be there again.

Man of the Match: Glenn Whelan

Ireland: Shay Given, John O'Shea, Richard Dunne, Sean St Ledger, Stephen Ward, Stephen Hunt, Keith Andrews, Glenn Whelan, Damien Duff, Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane (captain).

Estonia: Londak, Jaager, Rahn, Klavan, Kruglov, Saag, Teniste, Vassiljev, Vunk, Lindpere, Voskoboinikov.

DOYLE RETURNS TO IRELAND TEAM FOR PLAY-OFF 2ND LEG

Ireland Manager Giovanni Trapattoni has made the minimum of changes to his team to face Estonia at the Aviva Stadium this evening.

Kevin Doyle returns from suspension to win his 46th cap for Ireland during which time he has scored 10 goals for his country.
The 28 year old replaces unlucky Jonathon Walters of Stoke who scored a goal and was a major presence in the Irish victory last Friday.

Stephen Kelly has been ruled out at right-back due to a groin strain, so his place goes to Sunderland's John O'Shea who returns from a hamstring problem.

The one optional change that Trap has made is introducing the all-action Stephen Hunt in place of Aidan McGeady on the wing, a choice I entirely agree with.

It appears that LA Galaxy wanted Ireland Captain to rejoin them ahead of the 2nd leg in Dublin but that Robbie Keane refused along with the FAI to release oue Captain ahead of our final match of the campaign.

Lets hope for a 2-0 win at the Aviva this evening and as Richard Dunne said today; "..give the Manager a new contract for the World Cup".

Team: Shay Given, John O'Shea, Richard Dunne, Sean St Ledger, Stephen Ward, Stephen Hunt, Keith Andrews, Glenn Whelan, Damien Duff, Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane (captain).

IRELAND THRASH ESTONIA 4-0 IN PLAY-OFF 1ST LEG

Ireland surely booked their place in next year's Euro 2012 finals with this trouncing of Estonia in Talinn.

Goals from Keith Andrews, Jon Walters and Robbie Keane twice all-but ensured qualification for a major Final for the first time since 2002.

Ireland took the lead on 13 mins when Aidan McGeady crossed for Keith Andrews to head home.
The teams were evenly matched on the pitch until Stepanov was sent off for a tackle on 35 minutes.
Thereafter, Ireland began to dominate play, although they persisted with the use of the long-ball when playing it on the ground would have been much the better option.
Jon Walters, winning his third cap for Ireland, had three shots on goal in the first-half.
Estonia's danger-man Vassiljev was a thorn throughout and he struck a shot just wide midway through the half.

Estonia started the second half needing to get back in the game, being the home team, and they put Trapattoni's Ireland under pressure at times with some neat passing and running.

However, it was Ireland who scored again when Robbie Keane collected the loose ball from a McGeady shot to loop the ball over to Jonathan Walters who headed the ball over the line for Ireland's 2nd goal.

Four minutes later Robbie Keane tapped in a fierce Keith Andrews shot which was palmed out by Sergei Parieko to the onrushing Keane on 71 mins.

Estonia then self-imploded when Piiroja was also sent off for a deliberate handball to reduce the home team to nine men.

To compound their miserable night, sub Steven Hunt was felled in the box to give Ireland a penalty and Captain, Robbie Keane scored his second on the night, his 53rd in 113 games,  to make it 4-0 to Ireland in the 88th minute.
Sub Simon Cox even managed a shot on goal in injury-time, the game ended with Ireland victorious and Estonia demoralised.

Dreamland for Trap's team and Ireland as we are surely almost through to Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine next Summer.

Man of the Match: Robbie Keane

Rep of Ireland: Given, Kelly, St. Ledger, Dunne, Ward, Duff,

Whelan, Andrews, McGeady, Keane, Walters.
Subs: Westwood, Hunt, Keogh, Cox, Fahey, McShane, O'Dea.

Estonia: Pareiko, Jaager, Stepanov, Piiroja, Klavan, Dmitrijev, Vassiljev, Vunk, Kruglov, Kink, Ahjupera.

Subs: Londak, Rahn, Voskoboinikov, Lindpere, Purje, Saag, Teniste.

Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)

TRAP NAMES MOST OF HIS TEAM IN ESTONIA

Ireland Manager, Giovanni Trapattoni has unusually named a ten-man team for the first-leg play-offs with Estonia.

With Kevin Doyle suspended and Shane Long injured, the major concern was who would play upfront.

Thankfully, Captain Robbie Keane has returned to form from injury with LA Galaxy to lead the side, the only question remains, who will start alongside him upfront.

Its a straight fight between West Brom's Simon Cox and Stoke's Jon Walters.

Both forwards are worth a starting place upfront but only one of them will get their name on the teamsheet.

Cox was Man of the Match against Armenia last month but it appears that Stoke's leading man Jonathon Walters is favourite with El Trapp due to his holding-up of the ball from defence to attack, his energy and physicality and prowess in front of goal, leading everyone to believe that he will today be handed a starting role against Estonia in Talinn at 7:45pm.

Trapattoni also suggested that Robbie Keane maybe withdrawn in the second-half due to his lack of match-sharpness in favour of Cox.

You have to say one thing about this Ireland Manager, he has provided options for this team in almost every position and the fact that we are favourites to win this play-off speaks volumns for the players & the Manager.