Robbie Keane scored two goals as the Republic of Ireland eased to a 4-0 victory over 10-man Georgia at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday.The visitors saw goalkeeper Giorgi Loria sent off for a foul on Shane Long in the 20th minute and Ireland made their extra man count as Richard Keogh, Simon Cox and substitute Keane punished them with clinical goals.
Giovanni Trapattoni made nine changes to his team that drew 1-1 with England at Wembley on Wednesday, with only Long and James McCarthy retained.
Meanwhile, Georgian boss Temuri Ketsbaia was short of striking options as Vladimir Dvalishvili and Levan Mchedlidze were not released by their respective clubs so Nikoloz Gelashvili started up front.
Ireland made a bright start to the game and should have taken the lead in the 14th minute through Long, who was captaining the side for the first time.
The West Brom forward pounced on a stray pass and did well to beat defender Akaki Khubutia, but he fired straight at the legs of goalkeeper Loria when one-on-one.
However, Long managed to redeem himself moments later as he intercepted a woeful back pass from Ucha Lobjanidze and forced Loria into making a poor sliding challenge just outside the area.
Spartak Moscow attacker Jano Ananidze had to make way for uncapped keeper Omar Migineishvili, who made a fantastic save to tip James McClean’s curled free-kick over the bar.
The visitors were lucky not to have been reduced to nine men just two minutes later as replays suggested that Muratz Daushvili's reckless two-footed lunge on McCarthy also warranted a red card, while the referee gave nothing more than a throw-in.
Ireland finally managed to make their advantage count with a goal shortly before half-time, after Long was brought down on the right wing by Khubutia.
McClean's inswinging free-kick was met at the back post by Keogh, who did well to head the ball down and into the back of the net for his first international goal.
Ireland carried their dominance into the second half and doubled their lead just two minutes after the restart.
Sunderland’s McClean fired a low cross along the six-yard box and substitute stopper Migineishvili missed the ball completely, allowing Cox to finish into an empty net.
With the result seemingly settled, Trapattoni experimented with his squad ahead of Friday’s World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands, as Richard Dunne returned after a year out and Hull City’s Stephen Quinn picked up his first cap.
Robbie Keane replaced Andy Keogh at the break and the striker was influential as Ireland looked to turn their dominance into goals during the second half.
The 32-year-old netted his 55th international goal in the 76th minute after Aiden McGeady stole possession inside the Georgian box and Conor Sammon squared the ball for him to tap home.
Keane grabbed his second of the game three minutes from time as Jeff Hendrick intercepted another poor pass by the visitors and slipped in the LA Galaxy striker, who slotted the ball into the bottom corner with ease.
