Rep. of Ireland 1 - 0 Bosnia

Photos by Andy McDonnell, Larry McQuillan & Peter Fitzpatrick

It was a carnival atmosphere at the Aviva stadium today as the Republic of Ireland got the perfect send off with a 1-0 victory over Bosnia.

The squad are due to depart for a training camp in Italy in the coming days, and Trapattoni will depart with plenty of encouragement after a Shane Long header in the 78th minute gave the Boys in Green a well-deserved win in what was a competitive game.

Ireland began the first half with sloppy defending and misplaced passing and were nearly punished in the fourth minute. Vedad Ibisevic broke down the wing and got in behind the Irish defence. The Stuttgart striker who first sent in an inviting cross before then blasting an effort well wide.

There was a moment of concern for the Irish fans in the 10th minute when Robbie Keane went down in the box after receiving a knock to the ribs from Boris Pandza. Ireland’s all-time top scorer received treatment for a minute or two, but there was a collective exhale inside the Aviva as he was was deemed okay to continue.

Trapattoni’s men had claims for a penalty in the 14th minute as Glenn Whelan was played through on goal. The Stoke City midfielder took a touch to bring the ball away from Asmir Begovic and his club teammate appeared to bring him down. Swiss referee Nikolaj Haenni, however, signalled for a goal kick much to the bemusement of the fans.

Ireland’s passing then tightened up, and the purposeful James McClean had the crowd on their feet in the 25th minute. A direct run up the left hand touchline saw the Derry native cut inside onto his right foot. He beat three players and the ball rolled to Darron Gibson who dragged his right-footed shot wide of the target.

The Boys in Green came even closer in the 33rd minute, this time the opposite flank being utilised. Paul McShane sent a long ball from the back which was cushioned by Kevin Doyle. The former Cork City and St Pats striker laid the ball off to Damien Duff who drilled a left footed effort just wide of Begovic’s goal.

There has been a lot of excitement around James McClean in the last few months, and the Sunderland winger continued to show that this was not all “hype”. After receiving a diagonal ball from Doyle, the wide man took a touch before shooting low and hard and forcing a near post save from Begovic.

It wasn’t until almost the stroke of half time that we saw the first real involvement of Ireland captain Robbie Keane. After running onto a through ball, the LA Galaxy front man held up the ball before flicking a clever ball through to Duff. Begovic was out fast and he was out big, and did enough to avert the danger and the sides went in level at the break.

The second half began with Ireland attacking, and substitute Aiden McGeady nearly broke the deadlock with his first touch. Kevin Doyle cushioned a ball to the Spartak Moscow winger who swung a right boot only to see his effort strike Begovic’s post.

The fluidity of the game began to suffer after that, as a plethora of substitutions began to punctuate the second half – as is customary in these international friendlies. James McClean switched to the right as Trapattoni continued to examine the Sunderland winger, but we had to wait until the 59th minute before we had the game’s next chance.

Keiren Westwood had been somewhat of a spectator in the game, when Miralem Pjanic stepped up to take a free kick. The Bosnian struck the ball well, and Westwood was forced into a strong save from his trailing right hand as he dived to his left.

Ireland were to strike the woodwork again as the search for that elusive goal continued. Aiden McGeady received the ball wide on the right and sent in a delightful cross which Jon Walters, arriving late, crashed off the crossbar with a header.

It was beginning to seem like one of those days but with 12 minutes to go, Ireland grabbed the lead. Aiden McGeady took possession of the ball wide on the right, and cut back onto his left foot before hanging a delightful cross into the box. Tipperary man Shane Long was unmarked at the back post and he was never going to miss from there as he headed the ball into the back of the net to give Ireland a deserved lead.

Bosnia were rattled and it was almost two in two minutes with McGeady again the architect. This time it was a slide rule pass that sent Jon Walters free into the box, but his Stoke City teammate Begovic deflected the ball out for a corner with his chest.

Ireland continued to push on, and almost snatched a second, again from a Long header but it wasn’t to be and the game ultimately ended with a one goal Irish win. After a sloppy start, the Irish manager will have been happy with how his team dealt with a plucky Bosnian team. Paul McShane was replaced to a standing ovation as Ireland kept yet another clean sheet, and James McClean was direct as always to give Trapattoni plenty to think about.

Republic of Ireland: Kieren Westwood; Paul McShane (Stephen Kelly 78), Darren O’Dea, Richard Dunne (Sean St Ledger 70), Stephen Ward; Damien Duff (Aiden McGeady 46), Darron Gibson, Glenn Whelan (Keith Andrews 46), James McClean; Kevin Doyle (Jon Walters 63), Robbie Keane (captain) (Shane Long 63).

Subs Not Used: David Forde (GK), Stephen Hunt, Simon Cox, Keith Fahey.

Bookings: None.

Bosnia & Herzegovina: Asmir Begovic; Sanel Jahic, Boris Pandza, Mensur Mujdza (Adnan Zahirovic 56), Senad Lulic; Haris Medunjanin (Damir Vrancic 46), Elvir Rahimic (Miroslav Stevanovic 46), Miralem Pjanic, Zvjezdan Misimovic (captain) (Mehmed Alispahic 82); Vedad Ibisvic (Stojan Vranjes 70), Edin Dzeko.

Subs Not Used: Ibrahim Sehic, Senijad Ibricic, Muamer Svraka.

Bookings: Vrancic (51).

Referee: Nikolaj Haenni (Switzerland).

Attendance: 37,100

Extratime Man of the Match: Aiden McGeady – set up the goal, and was behind most of what was good for Ireland in the second half.