Shay Given and his Republic of Ireland team-mates have one step on the plane to Poland and the Ukraine for next year’s European Championships after a convincing 4-0 win over Estonia tonight.
Given was by and large a bystander as Ireland carved out a hard-fought victory over Estonia.
Estonia did well at times but goals from Keith Andrews, Jonathon Walters and two from captain Robbie Keane put Ireland in a commanding position for the return leg in Dublin next Tuesday.
Estonia were not helped by two sendings-off.
Given was delighted by how his team played.
“We worked hard. Although we got the goal early on they out us under a bit of pressure.
“When they lost a man we began to put them under a little bit of pressure but they were still dangerous.
“When we got the second goal their heads went down a little and we pushed on. We have put ourselves in a great position to get into the finals,” he said.
The finals will be some reward after Given and his team were cheated by France in Paris last year in the World Cup qualifiers.
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