Manager Steve Staunton is looking to turn Croke Park into a fortress when the Republic of Ireland embark upon life away from Lansdowne Road next year.
Ireland signed off in style last night in the last international to be played at the dilapidated Dublin ground before construction work begins with a 5-0 Euro 2008 qualifying win over San Marino.
After five matches without a victory for Republic boss Staunton, at least he can go into the new year with a first win of the campaign under his belt.
But if Ireland are to have any hope of reaching the finals, they have to follow up with a return win over San Marino in February, and then Wales and Slovakia towards the end of March.
They will be the Republic's first visitors to Croke Park, which has long been home to the GAA, but will now throw open its doors to football and rugby union until 2009.
When asked whether he would be sorry to see the end of the old Lansdowne Road - which will be replaced by a 50,000 all-seater stadium - Staunton replied: 'Hopefully not.
'But hopefully we will make Croke Park a fortress. It's going to be a wonderful stadium for fans and players alike.
'To have 75,000 supporters there is going to be fantastic, so we will be positive when we go there.
'We will get the job done in February against San Marino, and then we can look forward to those first two home games in March.'
Andy Reid set the ball rolling against San Marino, who have now lost all 37 of their European Championship qualifying matches.
Charlton midfielder Reid scored with a seventh-minute free-kick that took a wicked deflection off the head of Davide Simoncini.
Reading striker Kevin Doyle then headed home his first goal for his country on his fifth appearance, before captain Robbie Keane netted the first international hat-trick of his career.
Ireland's all-time leading scorer now has 29 to his credit after stroking home his first of the night in the 31st minute and following up with a 58th-minute penalty and a stooping 85th-minute header.
'I've always wanted to score a hat-trick for Ireland, and to do it in the last game at Lansdowne Road was fitting,' remarked Keane.
It also ends a trying first year in charge for Staunton, who began with a fine win over Sweden before enduring countless problems and then calls for his head after last month's 5-2 debacle to Cyprus.
'I haven't come across an easy year yet,' said Staunton.
'There are always tough times, and I knew that would be the case when the group was drawn up, and it's proved that way.
'As Cyprus showed against Germany last night, it's not going to be easy.'
The Cypriots produced another surprise result in holding Germany to a 1-1 draw, much to Staunton's delight as he added: 'It makes things even more pleasing.
'I always knew there would be points won and lost along the way in this campaign, and there will be more won and lost that's for sure.'
