Hello and welcome along to what will hopefully be another result in the win column in the Stephen Kenny era.
That 3-0 victory over Azerbaijan was desperately needed to give Kenny and his charges some confidence that they’re heading in the right direction. Tonight’s friendly at the Aviva Stadium is is a great opportunity to keep that run going.
The hosts will be wearing a special blue centenary kit to mark the occasion too, which is the colour that Ireland wore in their first official international in the 1924 Olympics.
We’ll have the team line-ups for you shortly as we gear up for the 7.45pm kick-off.
Here’s how the Republic of Ireland team will line out:
Caoimhin Kelleher; Matt Doherty, Enda Stevens, Shane Duffy (c), John Egan, Andrew Omobamidele; Jeff Hendrick, Conor Hourihane, Jamie McGrath, Chiedozie Ogbene; Callum Robinson.
STARTING XI | Ireland v Qatar
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) October 12, 2021
Kelleher & Ogbene handed first starts for Ireland as Hourihane, Stevens & McGrath also come into the starting XI 🇮🇪
Ireland under the lights at the @AVIVAStadium in front of a sell-out crowd, can't wait 😍#COYBIG | #WeAreOne | #IRLQAT pic.twitter.com/i9bL8JaOMk
For some pre-match reading, have a look at Gavin Cooney’s preview before what will hopefully be our first home win under Kenny.
Kenny aiming to keep the momentum rolling as Qatar come to Dublin
The teams are out on the pitch and the anthems are being played.
How do you see this one going?
Poll Results:
Kick-off! Republic of Ireland 0-0 Qatar
1 min: Republic of Ireland 0-0 Qatar
Ireland create the first chance of the game from a free-kick. Conor Hourihane lobs the ball into the box where John Egan rises highest but puts too much air under his header.
GOAL! Republic of Ireland 1-0 Qatar (Robinson, 3 mins)
5 mins: Republic of Ireland 1-0 Qatar
Well it just had to be that man again. Callum Robinson with another peach of a goal to give Ireland an early lead.
Brilliant strike from just outside the box. We’re going to steal this from one of our commenters, but that’s another goal in the bank for our very own CR7.
9 mins: Republic of Ireland 1-0 Qatar
Ireland engineered another threat at the Qatar goals, as the ball came to Matt Doherty in the box. But the hosts manage to steer the ball out of play.
Kenny’s side are spending a lot of time in the opposition half which is great to see, as Jeff Henrdick tries a piledriver from outside the box but his effort is blocked away.
GOAL: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Qatar (Robinson Penalty, 12 mins)
15 mins: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Qatar
Robinson makes it four goals from four. This time, his effort is a cool shot from the penalty spot after Jamie McGrath was brought down at the edge of the box.
What a start from Ireland in front of a home crowd.
Here’s Robinson goal number 1:
Intricate football from Ireland ends with Callum Robinson firing a deflected effort to the net. A perfect start at the Aviva.
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 12, 2021
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21 mins: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Qatar
Some good defensive play from Ireland, stringing passes together in their own half and working the ball out with great composue.
Hendrick and Doherty combine for a lovely, darting cross into the box. It’s deflected away for a penalty but it’s very encouraging play all the same.
24 mins: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Qatar
Egan leaps up for another header, but again, he’s unable to get his effort on target. He’s offside anyway but it’s good to see him lingering inside and ready to pounce.
Meanwhile, Doherty is making way and looks to limping slightly so he could be finishing up early this evening.
27 mins: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Qatar
Great link play between Robinson and Hendrick, who tries to flick the ball overhead to put Robinson through on goal but the keeper Barsham comes out to clear the danger.
Have a look at Robinson’s penalty here:
Jamie McGrath is taken down in the box, Callum Robinson tucks away the penalty. It's his fourth goal in four days.
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 12, 2021
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34 mins: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Qatar
Robinson causing more problems again for Qatar as he earns a corner. Hourihane floats it in and Egan gets his head on it but it floats over the crossbar.
37 mins: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Qatar
Important intervention from Duffy just outside the post after a brilliant attack from Qatar. Afif tried to send Alhaydos through but Duffy was there to poke the ball away.
39 mins: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Qatar
CROSSBAR!
So unlucky for Ogbene not to make it 3-o as he hits the crossbar after getting a delivery from Robinson.
42 mins: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Qatar
Great block from McGrath to muffle a shot from Alhaydos. Ali looking dangerous too outside the Ireland area, but the home defence are performing brilliantly with disciplined, well-timed tackles.
45 mins: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Qatar
Two minutes of added time to be played.
Half-Time: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Qatar
Republic of Ireland 2-0 Qatar
Well that was an excellent first half from Ireland. Two goals for Robinson, and a crossbar prevented them from making it three before the break.
There’s been some super passages of play through from Kenny’s side, and their backs are coughing up nothing to Qatar when they advance towards Kelleher’s goals.
Some highlight images from the first half:
Second half: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Qatar
45 mins: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Qatar
Ireland have made a change for the second half: Cyrus Christie is in for Doherty.
47 mins: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Qatar
Christie getting involved in the play right from the off. Hourihane feeds the ball over to Stevens and on to Robinson, who gets muscled off the ball and Qatar have possession again.
50 mins: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Qatar
Ogbene inches away from getting on the end of a long ball in. The ball is cleared away for a corner which results in the referee signalling for a free out over a foul by Duffy.
GOAL! Republic of Ireland 3-0 Qatar (Robinson, 53 mins)
56 mins: Republic of Ireland 3-0 Qatar
And that’s a hat-trick for Robinson! What a phenomenal run of goal-scoring form he’s produced in back-to-back games.
Super move from Ireland, with Hendrick slipping the ball into the path of Robinson. Perfect pace on the pass and a lovely finish from Robinson.
GOAL! Republic of Ireland 4-0 Qatar (Duffy, 58 mins)
59 mins: Republic of Ireland 4-0 Qatar
It is just goals galore in the Aviva Stadium. It’s our first non-Robinson goal of the night, as Shane Duffy connects with a Hourihane corner to give us one of his signature finishes for a goal.
This is just super stuff from Ireland on home soil.
Take a look at Robinson’s third goal of the night
What a fantastic goal! Callum Robinson slides home to complete his hat-trick after a lovely Ireland move.
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 12, 2021
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68 mins: Republic of Ireland 4-0 Qatar
Ireland make another substitution as Ogbene makes way for Jason Knight.
Here’s Shane Duffy’s goal
Shane Duffy gets in on the act and Ireland are rampant https://t.co/VNiAn6F1q3 #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/wXg6A5ms60
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 12, 2021
76 mins: Republic of Ireland 4-0 Qatar
Two more changes for Ireland: Nathan Collins replaces Duffy and Troy Parrott comes on for Robinson.
81 mins: Republic of Ireland 4-0 Qatar
Parrott tries to pounce on a brilliant through ball after his introduction. But there’s just a bit too much weight on the delivery and it sails by the substitute.
84 mins: Republic of Ireland 4-0 Qatar
Great work from Parrott as he draws a foul after some great footwork on the ball. He beats two players before he’s hauled down.
86 mins: Republic of Ireland 4-0 Qatar
Two more subs coming on for Ireland: Hourihane is called ashore and is replaced by Harry Arter. James Collins replaces McGrath.
Full-Time: Republic of Ireland 4-0 Qatar
Republic of Ireland 4-0 Qatar
That’s a super result for Ireland. Seven goals in two games and zero conceded. After all the criticism that Stephen Kenny has faced, it’s a massive boost for him to pick up his second win on the bounce.
Robinson was the man of the night, as he bagged a hat-trick to bring his tally to five goals in four days. Shane Duffy also got in on the act with a goal in the second half.
Well that’s all from us, folks.
Before you go, have a look at our match report by Gavin Cooney in the Aviva Stadium. Bye for now!
