By Ed Leahy
All thoughts and grumbles to sportonline@rte.ie.
Twitter comments to #rteeuro2012
1800 Well that's it for the afternoon. What an amazing result for Ireland. As nil-alls go, it was a pretty entertaining affair and a great result for Ireland considering they were completely outclassed. Thanks for all the emails and comments, there was no work done this afternoon at all throughout the country. Off to Andorra now for a nice easy three points next month. And keep November free, there may be another away trip to plan as the play-offs loom large in the distance.
1755 Ireland have been outclassed by a far superior Russian team but the defensive performance by Trapattoni's side was absolutely incredible. Man of the match, Richard Dunne was immense, while O'Dea, Given, the rest of the back four and the whole team in general gave it everything gaining a point when they should have left with nothing. All eyes on Slovakia's game with Armenia now as Ireland will be looking to secure the play-off place. Surely Russia will top that group now, and deservedly so.
FULL TIME RUSSIA 0-0 IRELAND
92 mins Russia look dejected as the ball goes out over the halfway line for a throw. One last chance for Russia. Header not cleared out of box and Dunne almost takes a player out which would have been a certain penalty. Ireland clear over the top and Cox charges up the field and fouls the keeper leading to the end of the game and how Ireland are leaving Russia with a point and even more bizarre, a clean sheet is a mystery.
89 mins This is just ridiculous. More balls into the box and again Ireland clear. Three minutes of added time. Surely there should have been more...
88 mins SAVE BLOCK CLEARED Crazy stuff here as Given saves a diving header on pure reflexes from three yards out. Rebounded ball about to be smashed into the net when Andrews slides in to block and Ireland clear for a moment at least.
86 mins Ireland break and put a good ball into the box but cleared. Ball then played back to keeper and Cox puts him under pressure. Keeper panics and puts it out for a throw. McGeady into the box and Ireland almost set up a chance but Russia clear.
84 mins Another two great chances for Russia and the pressure is intense. A third effort in quick succession is blocked by Richard Dunne and Russia keep on coming. Another chance as Bilyaletdinov's glancing header hits the side-netting. A big cheer on the far side of the stadium as the home fans think they have scored.
82 mins WHAT A MISS as Everton's Bilyaletdinov is played through but he tries to curl it into the far top corner but he skies is well wide. "What a let off," says Ronnie Whelan - A Bilya-let-ov, you might say, Ronnie.
81 mins Another Hunt free into the box. The keeper spills but no one there to pounce.
80 mins Approaching the last ten minutes and, incredibly, Ireland still have a chance of snatching this. Ireland break up field. Ball whipped across and Russian defender struggles to clear. Throw in for Ireland who are enjoying the brief spell of possession.
78 mins Russia down the right and Zyryanov puts the cross too close to Given who collects and clears upfield.
77 mins Junt lunges in on Arshavin who is jinking his way past Irish players for fun. A free into the box is cleared by the Ireland number 5 - who else??
75 mins Dunne ordererd off the pitch as his new jersey has no number on it. Oh dear, they are drawing a number on his back. A very decent number 5 is drawn onto the back of the jersy and Dunne is back on the pitch.
74 mins More Russian pressure while Dunne was getting attention on the sidelines - some plastic stitches and a new jersey and Dunne is thrown back into the cauldron.
71 mins A little lull in the game is dramatically broken by the man mountain that is Richard Dunne. Zhirkov down the left wing is planted into the running track by the big Villa defender, who takes an almighty smack in the face off the track for his trouble. Followed by a yellow card, which means he misses the next game.
68 mins Hunt's pressence is immediately felt as Ireland win a free in midfield. Hunt whips a ball into the box onto Keane's head and he just got too much on the glancing header and the ball flies over the bar.
67 mins Ireland sub - Hunt on for Duff Formation remains the same as like for like substitution.
66 mins Stephen Hunt trying his best to get on but some problems on the sideline, while Russia squander another two corners as Ireland clear.
64 mins Cox picks the ball up in midfield and lets fly from distance. High and wide but worth the effort. It is one of those nights where something like that could actually win the game. Cox apologises to Duff for not playing it wide but at least a breather for the Irish.
63 mins Better from Ireland as Cox plays a dangerous ball between defender and keeper but no once to get on the end of it. Russia, meanwhile, break again down the right but just too much on the ball and a kick-out for Ireland.
61 mins McGeady does well and rolls the ball wide to Ward but cross is high and wide. A very tired looking cross but still half an hour to get through.
59 mins Another Russian attack sees Aniukov get down the line and rolls a ball right across the Ireland six-yard box. Zhirkov didn't follow in and Kelly clears for a corner.
57 mins Ireland sub - Cox on for Doyle. Maybe Trap is thinking that he has to win this and is why he is keeping the two up front.
55 mins Stephen Kelly just does enough as Russia play there way into the box again. Russian forward should have shot earlier but then seems to fall over as he passes it across the goal and no one in support to capitalise.
54 mins Richard Dunne decides to do it alone and goes on a charge up the field - halfway into the Russia half and he loses possession. Russia break at pace but who is back to intercept only Dunne. Great work and attitude from the other Tallaght man in the XI.
52 mins Another free for Russia as Andrews commits a foul just over 30 yards out. Another wasted free for Russia as the ball is smashed straight at the wall. Russia continue attack and win corner. Ball played out to Arshavin but shot is well wide. Russia want goals quickly and Dick Advocat is not hanging around as Spurs striker Pavlyuchenko comes on.
50 mins Duff on the right wing with no option but to run back into his own half and play it back to Given. You do have to admire Ireland's ability to absorb this kind of pressure. Six clean sheets in a row says a lot of this team. Seven, I doubt but there is always a chance that we can sneak a goal against the run of play.
48 mins Arshavin dances through, once again. Ball rolled into Kerzhakov who unleashed a great effort goalwards but Richard Dunne is across to get his block in and the ball is cleared. That shot was travelling and Given would have been severly tested if Dunne hadn't got across.
46 mins Game on... Ireland start with the same eleven and Doyle wins possession and a free on the left wing. Yellow card for Aniukov for the nasty challenge on Doyle. Free into the box but Dunne again leaning on the defender and free out to Russia.
1702 General consensus in the studio is that changes are needed and that would be an extra man in the middle of the park. James McCarthy the saviour, perhaps... Russia on the pitch already no sign of the Irish...Oh here they come... Right then, deep breath...Come On Ireland, this is where the Irish attitude is crucial as we know that every one on that pitch will give it the full gun all day.
HALF-TIME RUSSIA 0-0 IRELAND
44 mins Russia attack again. Arshavin threads one through and Duff clears, nervously, for corner number seven. Header on goal from the corner and luckily player on the post to clear off the line.... That's the half-time whistle and it's, remarkably, still scoreless. How it is, is anyone's guess. Work rate is fine but personnel and formation seem to be the main issue for Ireland. Over to you, Mr Trap. This is where you earn that money...
42 mins Just three minutes to the break and a draw here tonight is now looking like a very good result - just in terms of this football match and not the group in general. Russia will not know how they are not leading this game at the break if Ireland hold on til the whistle.
39 mins Arshavin (the cheeky little man) has a shot from the corner and it appears to hit the post. Ball back into the danger zone and another long shot sent in but over. This is relentless as Duff goes down and wins a free to allow Ireland to clear - if only for a brief moment...
37 mins Better form Ireland as a bit of possession leads to a welcome respite for the defence. McGeady gets on the ball and ball makes way across the pitch to Duff but ball goes out for a throw to Russia. Russia break and Semshov goes to ground but ref not having it. Russia still on attack as Ireland clear for another corner.
34 mins Stephen Hunt is warming up already. Our 4-4-2 system is not working and an extra man is needed in midfield asap. Ronnie Whelan reckons that Keane is not fit. Will Trap make the call before half-time. Or will he wait until Russia score, which appears to be an inevitability at this stage.
32 mins UNBELIEVEABLE as Richard Dunne clears off the line. Zhirkov and Semshov combine and Given is beaten but Dunne somehow manages to stop the ball on the line and it is cleared. Corner played out to edge of box and shot from distance sees Given at full stretch but wide.... Russia will be wondering how they are not ahead. Ireland getting ripped apart in Moscow.
31 mins Russia again into the Ireland box but McGeady, again, tracking back to clear for a corner. Corner cleared and shot from distance is well wide.
28 mins Ireland defenders making problems for themselves with panicked clearances. Kelly almost hands the ball back to Russia inside the Ireland box but clears at the second attempt. In fairness to the Ireland defence (including midfield four) they are working hard and keeping Russia to long-range efforts for the most part.
26 mins Duff clips a free into the box but Dunne a little too physical and ref gives a free out. Russia back on the attack but a line of Irish players across the box prove too much for Russia who revert to a long shot but well wide.
24 mins Andrews fouls Zhirkov 30 yards out and gives away a free in a dangerous position. Ignashevich lines up a Johnny Metgod style piledriver but bobbles all the way through the crowd of players and wide.
22 mins A shoddy effort from distance is going wide and Given mishandles it and gives away a needless corner. No worries, Given out to take the cross and atone immediately. Ireland attack but Keane offside.
19 mins After a slow start this game has been non stop for the past 15 minutes. Russia again break down the right wing and the ball pulled back to Semshov who hits a great scissors kick into the corner but Given gets across to parry it away. Ireland's number one keeping his side in the game single handedly here.
17 mins Another long ball over the top and O'Dea reads it and clears - did he use his hand there - perhaps, but not spotted by the officials. No sign of the crowd getting quiet. Great noise. The longer it stays at 0-0 the better chance of the home fans getting frustrated.
16 mins Russia spraying the ball across the midfield and this time attack through the middle. Dunne does well to intercept and clear. Robbie Keane back defending and it's a bit of a struggle for the Irish at the moment.
14 mins Russia making big problems down the right wing and seem to be targetting Ward who is tucking in and leaving a lot of space in behind and out wide.
12 mins Ireland get up the pitch and Doyle fires in a shot from distance. Easy for the keeper. Russia break at pace and McGeady tracks back to give away corner. Arshavin and Semshov combine with the latter smashing one across the front of goal. No one able to get a touch and ball goes out of danger.
9 mins Long ball over the top for Keane to chase. Defender taking no chance and gives away a throw in a dangerous place but Russia deal with it easily and break. O'Dea again has to clear a dangerous ball along that corridor of uncertainty... Russia started very well here.
8 mins Corner cleared but a long range effort tests Given again but easy for the Villa stopper.
7 mins Ireland play their way down the left and Doyle clips across the goal... Ball cleared and Russia break. Ball cleared into the path of Arshavin. Great shot, better save out for a corner. Great stop by Given.
5 mins McGeady getting on the ball for the first time and looks comfortable on his home turf - well not turf really but you know what I mean... Russia playing at high tempo and working hard to get the ball back when losing possession.
3 mins Trap up on his feet looking to direct from the sidelines. Doyle penalised for jumping into the defender. Ireland holding on to the ball and Russian fans not happy. Calm as you like as Ireland play it out of defence. Jack Charlton watching from behind the couch somewhere...
1 min Lively start from Ireland but Russia get possession and start to knock it around. Arshavin puts pressure on Ward but out for goal kick.
1603 GAME ON...
1600 Westwood, Foley, Delaney, Lawrence, Hunt, McCarthy, Cox on the Ireland bench.. Russia subs: Shunin, Pogrebniak, Torbinsky, Pavlyuchenko, Bilyaletdinov, Glushakov, Shishkin.
1558 Right then we're about to kick off. Poor Robbie had to do a speech on the microphone ahead of the game. 'Fair play, lads' - Should've got Ronan Keating to do it... Anthems next and then the football. Great noise in the stadium. Come on Ireland...
1552 Seanie in South Korea: 'I'll be listening in on RTE radio 1 from the South of Korea, I'm sitting here on the couch in my Ireland jersey, kick-off is at midnight Korea time!!"Pighting"! as they say in Korea to cheer their sports-stars on.' Pighting better mean what you say it does, Seanie. Otherwise, I could be in trouble. By the way, are you there since the World Cup defeat to Spain in 2002?? Not forgetting Mick in New Zealand 'dunno if i can stay awake!!!' says Mick.
It seems that the Irish abroad who keep many a world's cities going seem to be taking a few hours' break - 'Big group of us working here in Eindhoven, The Netherands. About 180 Irish lads working here at the moment shouting for the boys in green. I'm going to stick my neck out and say the Duffer will come up with the goods today. Bryan.
Hoping to nip out of work to the pub for a foxy one at 5 to catch second half. Hopefully be rocking. Shane, Glasgow. #rteeuro2012
1548 Kevin Ward: It’s easy to criticise players but what we really need is the fans and players alike to show the same spirit that shamrock rovers and the fans showed in Europe. Time to take the lansdowne roar to Moscow and cheer on them boys in green. Oh, I am a sucker for any Hooped references...
1545 Ronan: 'My mate Davey C is willing to chuck in his job if he doesnt get to see the game today. Serious supporter !!' Fair play, Davey C. What about you, Ronan??
1540 The RTE coverage has started. Dunphy reckons that this group of players alway deliver on the big occasions but has doubts about O'Dea and Kevin Doyle's conditioning. Giles is not having the plastic pitch argument as they are not like the ones at QPR and Luton in the 1980s.
1536 John Coleman - You might struggle to find a game or paddies in Krakow next summer. The host cities in Poland are Warsaw, Gdansk, Poznan and Wroclaw! Poetic licence, John. Anyone visiting Poland should really take in a few days in Krakow - you won't be disappointed.
1535 Marc Hennessey via email: 'Let us not forget how quickly Shamrock Rovers were written before they travelled to Belgrade – it’s a funny old game.' Too true Marc. Pat Sullivan for the Ireland squad and we might have a better chance...
1530 Eamon emails: Will it be possible to stream the Ireland v Russia match via RTE News mobile app? or via website (on ipad)? You're out of luck with the RTE stuff as Flash not available on iPad - could probably watch it on Sky Go if you have a Sky Sports subscription, but I didn't tell you that.
1525 Bryan MacDonald emails from the far east of Russia: 'It's been raining (edited version) for the past 36 hours which makes me feel like I am in Dublin. Surely this is a good omen? Greetings from Khabarovsk, over 8,000km from Moscow and 10 hours plus from Ireland in time difference. Match will kick off at 2am our time, I am really hoping for an Irish win. But Igor, Vova, Maksim and Yuri say not a hope.. Prove them wrong... come on Ireland! Igor, Vova, Maksim and Yuri, you guys haven't a clue!!
1520 Ruairi Hanley - Robbie Keane...blah blah blah.... Sorry Ruairi but the only thing that I paid attention to was that you 'played football with players who could of got a game for Andorra' - what about your own footballing skills? Would you not have made in into the Andorra XI??
1515 Can we keep the comments short and (preferably) snappy. No need for essays - as they will be left in the unread section. It's just as easy to abuse Robbie Keane (and yours truly) in one sentence as opposed to twenty...
Pictured below: Brother and sister Patrick and Bernie Owens en route to the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
1510 Anyone in Moscow?? Drop us a comment from the stadium and let us know what the trip has been like. Stadium atmosphere, over-zealous police? Home fans?? #rteeuro2012.
1450 Great to see some of the diaspora checking in for the big game today. Big shout outs to Brendan in Utrecht who missed his first home qualifier in 11 years (due to study tut tut), Alan and Edward (sick day) in London, Johnny in Cork, Hugo in LA ( A Galaxy fan no doubt) Ian Byrne in the USA who hopes Hopefully the back 4 hang tough. Also Ghostie O'Toole deserves a mention for the name alone...
1435 First valid grumble of the day - Ciaran in Dublin: 'somebody scheduled a work meeting for 5pm today and it's not in the pub round the corner either.. non soccer fans should have more consideration. Bang out of order, Ciaran. Judging by your email address, I'm guessing that the rugger guys are responsible - they're just taking it out on everyone else as they have to get up at an unholy hour to watch that World Cup thing that's coming up next week. You have my full permission not to attend the meeting. Anyone else need a sick note.
1430 Here are the teams: Russia (probable): Malafeev; Anyukov, Ignashevich, V Berezutsky, Zhirkov; Zyryanov, Shirokov, Semshov, Arshavin; Pavlyuchenko; Kerzhakov
Republic of Ireland: Shay Given, Stephen Kelly, Richard Dunne, Darren O'Dea, Stephen Ward, Damien Duff, Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews, Aidan McGeady, Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle.
1420 Robbie Keane the video - never forget. One of the main reasons why I won't have a bad word to say about this particular Mr R Keane. Without this goal, we would never have got that Mick McCarthy celebration either... Oh yeah, if you look closely you might see me going nuts in the background with the rest of the Green Army.
1400 That's more like it - 'Let’s get behind Trap and his team, would be a great boost for the country' says the man with three first names Barry Alan Patrick, or is that Alan Patrick Barry or Patrick Alan Barry (reminds me of a joke about Irish lads Fitz and Michael).
A couple of predictions are coming in for a score draw. But we really do not want to start thinking that a draw will do. Three wins and we're all likely to be off to Krakow next summer. A draw may or may not lead to us getting a play-off, while a loss could also still result in a play-off if other results go our way over the next two rounds of games.
1345 Okay, first yellow card of the day to Clive Bower for the opening Robbie Keane bashing comment of the day - 'Why is it been reported that Robbie is risking his body? All of this over a bruise on his back. The guys in New Zealand must be laughing their heads off reading this.' Clive, I put up that photo of Robbie and referenced his incredible international goalscoring to create an aura of positivity ahead of the game. Yes, we may slag his bruised 'back' ( actually, having played many a year as a centre forward, I think that injury was more likely to have been a knee up the gluteus maximus) at a later stage this evening if results go against us but let's lay off the Tallaght man for the next few hours (minutes) at least. By the way, those Egg-Chasing rugger boys aren't that tough anyway....
1330 I'd like to think that everyone is working through lunch so that a 4.00pm exit from the office can be negotiated. For those who don't have a 'cool boss' and are stuck in work don't forget that big F5 refresh button on your keyboard for the latest updates. Judging by the amount of emails in the first half hour, it looks like people have already written the afternoon off to concentrate on the big game. That is very commendable but I can imagine one of those news stories tomorrow 'The Irish econony lost 18 mllion euro as a result of no work being done during the afternoon hours when Ireland played Russia...'. And triple that figure if we win as there could be a lot of sore heads in the morning.
1315 It's all about staying positive this afternoon so don't be sending any of those negative vibes this way (well not before 1745) or I'll be sending Damien Dempsey around to dish out the digs... 'Seize the Day' as the Donaghmede balladeer might bellow. Come on you boys in green...
1300 Hello and welcome to another day in the life that is the Republic of Ireland football team. Only three hours to kick-off now in Moscow as Giovanni Trapattoni's side look to beat the Russians in their own back yard - not an easy task, as the history books will confirm but certainly not beyond the realms of possibility.
