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Rep of Ireland v Estonia

Rep of Ireland v Estonia

Rep of Ireland v Estonia

IT Tue, Nov 15
 

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  • This event has now ended
  • 18:55
  • 18:58
    The cat is in the bag, according to Trap, but WAIT! He says the bag’s not closed and the cat’s wild, he’s foaming at the mouth, has sharp pointy teeth and talons where his claws used to be. Be afraid, be very afraid.
  • 19:00
    Ahem, welcome to the final instalment of our live text coverage of Ireland’s Euro 2012 campaign. What was anticipated by most to be a nervy night at home, is surely going to be nothing more than a procession to the Poland and Ukraine.
  • 19:00
    Ireland have a four goal lead and Estonia were more of a slovenly Labrador than a feral feline in Tallinn last week. Judging by Tarmo Ruutli’s demeanour yesterday, not much has changed in the intervening days.
  • 19:01
    I’m Carl O’Malley. Stay with me for what will almost certainly be a historic night for Irish football, a night of vindication for an embattled manager, where safe passage to a second European Championships will be secured.
  • 19:02
    Right, that’s me set up for a massive fall, do share you're sentiments of overconfidence with us. If your Estonian, feel free to direct your abuse this direction/congratulations/commiserations here
  • 19:05
    Here are the teams. Nu surprises. Ireland as named by Trap yesterday.

    Rep of Ireland: Given; O'Shea, St Ledger, Dunne, Ward; Hunt, Whelan, Andrews, Duff; Doyle, Keane (capt)

    And Estonia, as expected in most reputable newspapers this morning.

    Estonia: Londak (Bobo Glimt); Jaager (Aalesunds), Rahn (Tianjin Songjiang), Klavan (AZ Alkmaar), Kruglov (Rostov); Teniste (Sogndal), Vunk (Famagusta), Vassiljev (Amkar Perm) (capt), Lindpere (New York Red Bulls); Saag (Silkborg), Voskoboinikov (Himki)
  • 19:06
    That's looks like a 4-4-2 for the visitors, so a departure from the one up front they played at home. No shock there, then.
  • 19:09
    Irish bench: Westwood, McGeady, McCarthy, O'Dea, Fahey, Cox, Walters

    So, those of you hoping to see Seamus Coleman make an appearance will be disappointed. Might be a look in for James McCarthy though.
  • 19:12
    Tom Dunne is treating the sparse crowd to a trip around the Ireland dressing room. His soft, dulcet tones setting the scene nicely.
  • 19:13
    He's now chatting with Ray Houghton and John Aldridge, neither of whom could be credited with voices that middle aged house wives might swoon over.
  • 19:17

    Shane Given, Shay's son, will be a mascot tonight. If we have the time we should stick him in goal for the warm-up and test out his credentials. He's from good stock that lad.

  • 19:18
    Robbie's chatting on the big screen now, hailing Honeymonster's "massive" performance in Russia as the replay of THAT goal line clearance in Moscow is screened. "We're not Spain, we're not Italy ... we're a team, y'know," adds the captain.
  • 19:22
  • 19:23
    A little reminder of Dunne's performance at the Luzhniki Stadium.
  • 19:32
    We're almost there now. 15 minutes to showtime and much of the crowd appears to be still in Searsons or the Berkeley Court, but we're assured it's a full house.
  • 19:33
    In the other games tonight, it's scoreless between Croatia and Turkey, and also between Montenegro and Czech Rep. Croatia and the Czechs lead those ties 3-0 and 2-0 respectively.

    Portugal kick-off against Bosina and Herzegovina at 9pm. 
  • 19:38

    Ronaldo and co were held scoreless in Bosnia on a horrendous pitch by all accounts. The second best footballer in the world was lamenting the conditions yesterday.

    "That wasn't grass, we played on a vegetable patch," he squawked. "It was very difficult and still we did well and created chances. We now have a second chance at home in front of our fans, with a good pitch and have all the conditions to ensure we win.

    "We have to assume we are favourites and show our superiority - we are a better team." 

    Such a gent.

  • 19:40

    The teams are out, and HERE'S MICHAEL D, all dapper and smiley. A massive roar for the newly elected president.

  • 19:40

    President Higgins shared a few jokes there, with Doyler and Duffer.

  • 19:43
    Duffer, incidently, just spent the entire anthem facing the south end when his teammates were facing the flag on the east side like they usually do. How many caps does he have?
  • 19:44

    Nice moment there with Shay and his son. Little low five before his dad took to the pitch.

  • 19:45

    Barring the odd pocket, it is a full for all intents and purposes a full house. Here we go!

  • 19:45
  • 19:47
    Doyler penalised for back in. Looked a bit harsh from the Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers. (That was really just an exuse to introduce the ref.)
  • 19:47
    Duff finds Ward out wide and then gets it back before cutting inside for an ambitious shot off his right boot. Well wide.
  • 19:48
    It is indeed two up front for Estonia - Voskoboinikov and Saag.
  • 19:49
    4 min: Not much of note just yet, other than an early rendition of Fields. Given to laund one.
  • 19:50
    And Doyle gets a head on it for Keane, who tries to control under pressure and almost done so, but the danger is cleared just as he winds up to shoot. Looked a fair challenge by the Keeper.

    Ward taken down on the edge of the box.
  • 19:51
    6 min: Free in for Hunt. Short to Duff and it's back of the keeper and Keane screws it wide from five yards. He had all teh goal to aim at there and missed on the near side.
  • 19:54
    8 min: Good atmosphere here early on and it's all Ireland at the moment. Confident on the ball and Doyle wins a free but the quick one doesn't work out.
  • 19:56
    10 min: The fortunes of a paper airplane are eagerly cheered by the crowd but their joy is punctured by howls of disapproval as Rahn takes down Duff on the wing. Whelan's free is easily gathered.
  • 19:58
    A squadron of paper airplanes has now descended from each corner of the stadium. Pffft, you'd think the cat was in the bag.
  • 19:59
    Ward clears under pressure for a corner as Voskoboinikov tries to latch on to throughball. O'Shea heads the setpiece clear
  • 20:01
    15 min: Keane scampers on to a pass through the middle but keeper Londak gets there first.

    'Just Can't Get Enough' is the ditty of choice for the Ireland fans now. It's more of a humming than a singing though.
  • 20:03
    Humming might not be the right word, actually, but I can't think of another at the moment. The Estonian left-back has had enough. Dmitri Kruglov has signalled to the bench and appears to be in no mood to continue.

    Sandre Puri is on in his stead,
  • 20:04
    18 min: Ireland throw in but Doyle fouls Teniste.
  • 20:08
    Andrews shares a rather meathy challenge with substitute Puri and the free goes to Estonia. Nothing comes of it and, honestly, the fate of paper airplanes is occupying the crowd more than the game so far.
  • 20:09
    23 min: Doyle breaks down the right and cuts a lovely ball crossfield to Duff on the run. In space the winger tries to find Keane with a low ball in the box but it's cleared.
  • 20:10
    24 min: Ireland fans scream for a free as Andrews is taken down on the edge of the box, but Mr Kuipers is no Viktor Kassai (Hungarian ref from the first came who 'apparently' gave Ireland everything)
  • 20:12
    Taavi Rahn earned a booking for this challenge of Damien Duff
    Taavi Rahn earned a booking for this challenge of Damien Duff
  • 20:14
    Beautiful little hit and chase past Vunk from Duffer there. Rollin back the years. Comes to nowt though after he has to go back to Ward.
  • 20:16

    30 min: Duff again shows neat skill but his cross is deflected back out to Ward. His cross is headed out for a corner.

  • 20:17
    GOAL!! Ward picks up the pieces after Hunt's header is parried into his path by Londak.
  • 20:18
    Fair play to Hunty for climbing highest there. No doubt about it now, we're going to Polkraine.
  • 20:19
    That's Ward's second goal for Ireland in 8 caps. His first came against Northern Ireland in the Carling Nations Cup.
  • 20:20

    34 min:  Voskoboinikov forces Given into a save after being chased across the box by Dunne. Routine for Shay.

  • 20:23
    'STAND UP FOR THE BOYS IN GREEN' and the crowd duly oblige. Credit must go to the YBIG supporters group for setting the tone, not just tonight, but in this whole campaign. Thay have the numbers behind them tonight, but there were times they didn't and kept singing.
  • 20:24
    38 min: Given comes and claims a hig ball with authority as a little bit of pressure from Estonia is relieved.
  • 20:26
    41 min: 65 per cent possession for Estonia in the last five minutes. They don't know when they're beat, that's for sure. Another free in is headed away, this time by Whelan.
  • 20:27
    Doyle digs out a great cross to Keane when the ball looked sure to go out but the captain is bustled out of it on the edge of the box.
  • 20:29
    Estonian fans now getting booed for not taking part in the Mexican wave, when in actual fact they are. Seems a little unfair.

    Nice turn by Keane in the box but his shot is high and wide. Another great ball from Doyle there, this time a cheeky pass to feet from the left.

    Hunt wins a corner. Duff to take, 44 min
  • 20:29
    Londak gathers the deep cross easily.
  • 20:31
    1 min added time as Ireland stroke it around the back. If only every game were like this.
  • 20:32
    That's half time. Ireland 1 Estonia 0. Five zip on aggregate.
  • 20:35
    Feel free to have your say, this isn't just about me, you know. I know precisely how many of you are out there, surely one of you has something to say.
  • 20:36
    Still scoreless in the other games, meaning Croatia and the Czechs are 20 and 30 minutes repsectively away from qualification.
  • 20:39

    Estonian fan taking part in the crossbar challenge gets the biggest cheer of three contenders after, quite frankly, two pathetic efforts from the home contingent.

  • 20:40
    Guest how are the airplanes getting on?
  • 20:40
    Stephen Ward opens the scoring from close range
    Stephen Ward opens the scoring from close range
  • 20:41
    Not great, actually, they have all been swept into a crumpled heap and are bound for the big airplane hangar in the sky. Bar one, sticking it out in the centre circle. Scratch that, he's been removed now.
  • 20:42
    Maoiliosa Fair play to you. I'm following this from an all day meeting in New York.
  • 20:44

    Well, la-di-da. New York no less. Come back and be broke and miserable like the rest of us!

  • 20:44
    Guest ALSO SENDING THIS FROM WORK IN NEW YORK...THANK YOU
  • 20:44
    They always have to shout in America ;)
  • 20:44
    Robin following from train in melbourne
  • 20:45
    PaulH What odds on Eesti scoring 6 and winning the match?
  • 20:45
    I'll bet you three pints and package of Tayto.
  • 20:45
    Padraic Ryan Can you fire off a paper plane for me?
  • 20:46
    No, that sort of classroom tom-foolery is frowned upon in the Irish Times.
  • 20:47
    declanb Following your smarts from Seattle. no shouting here.
  • 20:48
    Good, but it's miserable and rainy in Seattle so you might as well be at home. Nice night here actually.
  • 20:48
    Guest ah now Carl! liven up!
  • 20:48
    John When is the draw for the groups?
  • 20:48
    December 2nd, John.
  • 20:48
    Reggie Good evening Dublin, Stockholm calling. About 25 of us over here popped over for the match at the weekend. Feckin' deadly city - cheap as föök. Managed to get to the match (Estonian end). Security made us dump our jerseys before we were let in. Thought it best to leave after the second red card as the crowd around us were getting pissed off that we were there. Oh well, it was just back to the pub so...
  • 20:49
    We're back on, as is customary the teams have changed ends.
  • 20:49
    Guest sorry bout the caps i'm being sneaky at my computer watching coverage while supposed to be working
  • 20:50
    Guest Following the game from just north of Boston. Have to keep minimizing the screen when the boss walks by.
  • 20:52
    Where did you get that pic, Padraic. It's great.

    Okay, back the game. Doyle just won a free inside his own half, but Ireland in no hurry to get it up field.
  • 20:54
    51 min: Duff finds Keane over the top, back to Whelan, but Doyle's claim for a free on the edge of the box is waved away.
  • 20:54
    PaulH I'm probably the only one in Ireland who hopes we get England in the group stages of #Euro2012 - I really enjoyed 1988
  • 20:56
    Not at all, I think most people would be the same.

    Duffer shows his frustration after Hunt ignores his pleas for a one two and kicks it to an Estonian defender.
  • 20:56
    declanb You're like Pres. Higgins - managing all this diaspora! C'mon Ireland!
  • 20:56
    It's not the first time I've been compared to him, if I'm honest. It's usually a reference to height, though.
  • 20:57
    Morgan @PaulH - London calling, nope - was just discussing the same thing. England would be great.
  • 20:58
    55 min: Tarmo Kink has come on as a sub for Lindpere and shoots on sight. Well wide.
  • 20:59
    Shawn Ireland on most days makes Seattle look like the Costa del Sol! (Seattle expat resident in Ireland for 20+ years.)
  • 21:01
    58 Min: GOAL!!! We were warned about the captain Vassilyev but Given won't like seeing that again. WEll struck shot, but straight at him and under his dive.
  • 21:02
    McGeady is on for Hunt now and he switches Duff to the right straight away.
  • 21:03

    Fantastic pass from McGeady after cutting inside from the left. A little reverse number that finds Keane in the box but again the skipper sees his shot blocked by one of four Estonian legs.

  • 21:08

    65 min: A sustained period of possession from Ireland ends with a weak cross into Londak's hands

  • 21:09
    Duff is then taken down by Vunk just outside the box. He stands over the free with Andrews.
  • 21:09
    Duff tees for Andrews, whose ball is right on the head of Dunne, but the defender heads it's straight at Londak.
  • 21:12
    68 min: Simon Cox is replacing Robbie Keane, who leaves to warm ovation from the crowd. Seven goals in 10 games for the captain.
  • 21:12
    He also shared a hugh with his old mate Duffer on the way off. Maybe they'll go on the raz tonight.
  • 21:15
    73 min: Simon Cox tries a cheeky dink over Londak, the little upstart. Would have been very nice.
  • 21:16
    Shotgun Mick Cmmon Ireland, greetings from a rainy, windy Wellington
  • 21:16
    PaulH BTW, maybe upon reflection, is there anyone anywhere who doesn't want Ireland to meet England at Euro2012? Any takers? No?
  • 21:17
    74 min: Estonian fans in full voice but their team can't wuite live up to the expectation. This time Vunk sees a shot saved by Given.
  • 21:17
    Tom in California can u please save Keane for the really big game on Sunday and not have him tire his wee self. in this lopsided endeavor
  • 21:18
    We own Keane and don't you forget it.
  • 21:19
    15 minutes left now and Kink engineers another shooting chance nicely but it's wide of the target.
  • 21:20
    Given getting whistled by Estonian fans behind the goal for time-wasting, I think. Ironically perhaps,
  • 21:20
    McGeady skins his man on the left wing and tries to find Cox with a low ball but Londak gathers. Lovely bit of skill there.
  • 21:22
    79 min: Keith Fahey is now on for Duffer, another one to get a thoroughly deserved standing ovation. That's all the subs available to Trap, so no McCarthy, O'Dea or Walters.
  • 21:26
    82 mins: 51,151 seems a slight embellsihment on the attendance, but that's the official figure. In fairness, it's not far off.

    McGeady races upfield and ignores Ward outside to cut inside and scuttle a weak shot past the post. Chose the wrong option there, but wants a big finish, I'm sure. Excellent campaign for him.
  • 21:28
    Tzrun Maitra On the bus from El salvador to Nicaragua, theres a film about God and American Football on the tv, and im getting to enjoy the match at the same time! what a day!
  • 21:28

    WINNER!! Two packers of Tayto for you, Tzrun. Good Connemara name, that.

  • 21:30
    Corner Estonia after a free drops to Saag but his shot is blocked. Whelan heads clear. Saag again gets a sight of the goal but blazes it over.
  • 21:30
    Daniel O Grady Vamos Ireland from a cold (but at least dry) Madrid!!
  • 21:30
    Danger Dools Com' on 'reland from an muggy sydney
  • 21:30
    Olé Olé is back. Thought you'd heard the last of that old chestnut, eh? Think again.
  • 21:33
    89 min: Almost there now, Ted. The crowd has been asked to stay off the pitch because both teams want to do a lap of honour.
  • 21:33
    Guest agg score 5 - 1. attendance 51 151
  • 21:33
    Hmmmm?
  • 21:33
    Michael, Ireland Well done lads! You'll deserve the party tonight!
  • 21:36
    montondo Sitting on a leopardskin bedspread in a hotel in northern Nigeria, wondering whether the electricity will hold out till the end of the match
  • 21:36
    Guest Yayy!!!I love being in France when Ireland are successful.I hope that we will meet them and beat them in Poland!!(Anna,Bordeaux)
  • 21:37
    That's it!! We're heading to the Euro's next summer. It was never in doubt tonight but the job is officially done. Congratulations lads. Celebrations begin to Status Quo's Rockin all over the World.
  • 21:37
    Eamonn, Denmark Estonia are only monnows,even by Irish standards. Yes Ireland beat that minnow team with only 9 players,by 4 to nil. Then the minnows swam all the way to Dublin, now in full strength,so can the mighty Irish show their prowess on home turf !!!. no no no, yet again we show that we cant show professionalism,we can just scrape past. Heroes they cry, Worldbeaters I hear. Why do I feel so deleted.
  • 21:38
    I'm not sure what that even means. Deleted?
  • 21:38
    Guest Well deserved!! Never mind the negative Irish people out there!!!!!! Boyz in green way to go!!
  • 21:38
    irishpaul congrats from a hot and sultry atlanta..........off to play nudie tennis with anna kournekova ha!!!!
  • 21:38
    Brendan Leopardskin!!! Hmmmm
  • 21:39
    Great scenes here as the players thank the crowd. A real fillip for Irish football!!
  • 21:40
    Tzrun Maitra haha. you soumd just like immigration. the lads were only saying yesterday how much they'd kill for a bag of tayto. I'd be happy with a hot shower. The film was called Chasing the Giants, if youre interested. And my name's Tarun (the kindle buttons are too fecking small)
  • 21:40
    caitlin From the Basque Country- oso ondo!!
  • 21:40
    montondo I should point out it's a leopardskin print...
  • 21:40
    “We’ll shake a few teams up next summer that’s for sure,” Shay Given tells Tom Dunne.
  • 21:40
    Dermot Well done to the boys in green. Let's hope they give us some memories next June.
  • 21:40
    Danger Dools would love to be heading out on the lash to celebrate but I have a day of work ahead of me down under. Well done lads, I better start saving the pennies for poland
  • 21:41
    Guest I cried when Spain won the World Cup (living in Barcelona for the past 7 years, so there was a motive) knowing Ireland were never likely to pull that sort of achievement off. Would be lovely to be proved wrong, but I doubt that could ever happen!
  • 21:41
    Right, thanks for reading folks. I gotta head and do ask mundane predictable questions. 'Mon Ireland.!!!
  • 22:00
    shaneymac i guess you have to applaud some peoples full on commitment to moaning. admirable in its consistency really. me on the other hand feel nothing but pride, joy, and election. well done lads. see you in polkraine.
  • 22:09
    Davide Happy from Ireland and Trapattoni. Truly deserved after the 2 years ago steal. Greetings from Italy.