By Frank Shouldice 

Ireland produced another morale-boosting performance to claim a creditable victory over Croatia on Tuesday at Lansdowne Road. Damien Duff was once again the star of the show while Robbie Keane extended his record tally to 24 international goals. 

Typically it was a little piece of Duff magic that created the breakthrough in the 24th minute. Playing a short corner with Liam Miller, the winger left two Croatian defenders in his wake and sent a slide-rule pass across goal for Keane to turn coolly home. 

Keane might have been equally relieved because he missed a sitter one minute earlier. He had all the time in the world after being sent through by debutante Stephen Elliott, but goalkeeper Tomislav Butina diverted Keane’s effort over the bar. 

Played on a chilly, blustery night before a respectable crowd of 32,300, the result maintains Brian Kerr’s unbeaten run at Lansdowne Road. The manager used the fixture to start Elliott and reserve ‘keeper Paddy Kenny in a 4-3-3 formation that took time to settle. The visitors began brightly and in a nervy opening Richard Dunne gave Kranjcar a shooting chance.

It took 20 minutes before Duff registered Ireland’s first real attack with a low shot flying narrowly wide. Keane failed to beat Butina in a one-on-one but kept his composure to benefit from Duff’s wizardry for the decisive goal.

Croatia hit back straight from the restart. Klasnic broke down the left and Kranjcar’s firm header spun past Kenny’s left post with Dunne and Gary Breen stranded.

The Croatians made six changes after the break but they adjusted well in a competitive second half. Both sides created clear chances and an early warning saw Liam Miller head off his own line before Dunne scrambled the ball away. 

Duff could have wrapped his performance with two goals only for Butina to first take the ball off his feet. Then when Steve Finnan crossed from the right Duff opted to control it rather than head home from five yards. He got his shot away but it crashed off the bar and away.

Shay Given replaced Kenny 12 minutes from time and in his first slice of action he was almost beaten by sub Eduardo Da Silva only for Dunne to hook the ball off the line. A useful win to cap a good year for Kerr’s Irish side. 

February will see Portugal visit Dublin for a friendly before the real action begins with a trip to Israel and all sights set on the 2006 World Cup.