By Frank Shouldice

Rep. of Ireland 1 Slovakia 0

STEPHEN Staunton was beaming at the final whistle, and who could blame him? The Irish soccer manager and his team has come through a torrent of criticism much of it deserved in recent months but on the back of Saturday’s 1-0 win over Wales, Irish morale was lifted by a similar winning margin against Slovakia.

Kevin Doyle clinched it with an 12th minute goal, athletically stretching past defender Martin Skrtel to head Damien Duff’s free inside Kamil Contofalksy’s left post. Both sides had reasonable chances to score after that, but a combination of effort and enterprise proved enough for Staunton to face down his critics for one more night at least.

Unusually for an Irish soccer international the stadium was not full to capacity. Even so, a crowd of 71,297 showed up with the kind of sluggishness that necessitated kick-off to be deferred for 15 minutes. Tactically, Staunton found a better balance to his team on this occasion. Doyle ran solo up front but had Duff and Aiden McGeady on either wing, with good support from Stephen Ireland. Lee Carsley and Kevin Kilbane competed for central midfield with a little more assurance than last Saturday.

Making his 80th appearance, Shay Given captained the side as Robbie Keane was suspended. Steve Finnan and John O’Shea took the full-back positions and Richard Dunne partnered Paul McShane at the heart of defense.

Slovakia arrived with a reputation for scoring – and conceding – goals and as early as the second minute they showed a willingness to shoot from range. Given scampered across to palm Robert Vittek’s bouncing half-volley away for a corner.

For Ireland Duff’s appetite for the ball down the left wing was a sign of good things to come. Double-teamed by Peter Singlar and Igor Zofcak he was ready to take on his markers, constantly threatening to get inside. McGeady had less success on the other flank, and although the Celtic 21-year-old certainly possesses ability, nine international appearances have not delivered on that promise.

Carsley worked hard to win a free out on the right after 11 minutes. Duff stepped up and swung it towards the near post. Doyle contrived to reach it first and claim his second international goal.

Even with such a strong team effort, however, the lead was too slender for comfort. In a replica of the Wales game Dunne was dispossessed by Vittek five minutes before the break. The Slovakian captain released Sapara, whose drive forced another fine stop from Given.

Fans reacted heartily to the first half display and it’s a wonder that the game stayed at 1-0. Duff robbed Maros Klimpl but in a reversal of the first half miss, the winger failed to pick out Stephen Ireland unmarked inside.

McShane then made a fantastic block to deny Marin Jakubko’s shot on goal but the introduction of Stephen Hunt (for Ireland) and Shane Long (for a tiring Doyle) opened up the game for Staunton’s side.