Republic of Ireland take on the Czech Republic in a friendly at Lansdowne Road in Dublin.
Mick McCarthy and the Republic of Ireland faced the Czech Republic, ranked second in the world in a challenge game. After just three minutes, Jan Koller had put the Czech side in front. This lead was short lived because 12 minutes later, Ireland had equalised through an own goal.
Robbie Keane was on fire for the Republic. His surging runs plaguing the Czech defence.
Against the run of play after 34 minutes, the Czech Republic turned on the class with a move that finished with Jan Koller heading a second goal. Just before half-time, Ian Harte was in the right place to take advantage when everyone missed a Gary Kelly, making the half-time score to 2-2.
The second half saw Ireland keeping the Czechs under pressure and in the dying minutes of the game, Robbie Keane scored the winning goal.
The final score was Republic of Ireland 3 Czech Republic 2 for Mick McCarthy.
Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy, speaking after the game, said the disappointment at failing to qualify for the Euro 2000 finals was still there. They had messed up, conceding a goal to Macedonia in the final 12 seconds of the qualifier game in October 1999. Having just beaten the team ranked second in the world shows what this Republic of Ireland squad is capable of.
We here are as good as most teams. We can beat anybody and we've proved that and we've done it again tonight.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 23 February 2000. The reporter is Gareth O'Connor.
