Roy Keane returned from a two-year international exile as the Republic of Ireland beat Romania 1-0 at Lansdowne Road tonight. And Keane almost marked the occasion with a 50th minute goal but was denied by a good save.
However, Brian Kerr's side did score the winning goal after 85 minutes. Clinton Morrison crossed from the right and Matt Holland hit a volley which crept inside the bottom far corner of the net.
It was also a landmark occasion for the other Keane in the squad - Tottenham striker Robbie. The 23-year-old earned his 50th international cap.
Roy Keane took just eight minutes to announce that he was back for the Republic of Ireland. The Manchester United captain caused a wave of excitement when he made a storming run from midfield to the right edge of the area before delivering a dangerous low cross-cum-shot which the goalkeeper did well to block as Clinton Morrison charged in on the line.
Robbie Keane wasted one good chance to move to within one of Niall Quinn's record tally of 21 goals when he shot straight at the goalkeeper after 21 minutes before another fine Irish move deserved a goal after 34 minutes.
Andy Reid picked out Robbie Keane at the far right post and, when he squared the ball back across the face of goal, it was lucky for Romania that Morrison was just too deep to turn it home.
The script was almost completed after 50 minutes when Roy came within inches of scoring. Morrison did well on the right and delivered a low cross for Robbie Keane. His first-time low drive was pushed away by substitute goalkeeper Bogdan Stelea and when Roy followed up he too was denied by a good block.
Ireland finally found the net after 85 minutes. Morrison crossed from the right and Holland hit a good volley which crept inside the bottom far corner of the net. The win went hand in hand with a fourth clean sheet in five matches.
