By Ed Leahy
All thoughts and comments welcome to sportonline@rte.ie or #rtesoccer on Twitter. Also join in the conversation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rtesoccer.
FULL TIME: ESTONIA 0-4 REP OF IRELAND
2150 So that's it from a very successful day for Irish football with a clinical display from Giovanni Trapattoni's side. Check back in over the weekend for post match analysis and the build up to Tuesday's return clash and beyond to Euro 2012 next summer. The conversation is continuing over on our Twitter and Facebook pages. Enjoy the weekend and back for more around lunchtime on Tuesday.
RTE.ie's Rory Houston at the A. Le Coq Arena: John Delaney concludes the celebrations, joyfully punching the air at the Irish achievemnt in Tallinn. A night to remember for all concerned. Trap has proved all the critics wrong.
2145 Banter is underway back in the studio with the panelists agreeing that it was great for the senior players and for Irish football. Dunphy outlines how great an achievement it is although he doesn't like the style of football but is talking more about the positives.
2140 It's all over in Tallinn and Ireland have romped to a 4-0 victory. It's been a hard fought game but once the second goal was scored, Estonia gave up and a professional and clinical finish to the game saw Ireland kill the game off with two late goals. There is another game to go on Tuesday night at the Aviva Stadium but it will be a party atmosphere in the stadium with qualification all but guaranteed.
90 mins Its the last couple of minutes and the Irish are just passing it around knowing that the job is done.
88 mins More Ireland pressure and Keane plays Hunt in, the Wolves midfielder is clipped in the box and he goes down for a penalty. Pretty clear cut but the Estonia player tried to make it look like he was trying to get out of the way. Keane slots home the penalty to make it four and a brace for Keane.
88 mins GOAL KEANE PEN 0-4
86 mins PENALTY IRELAND
82 mins Cox on for Walters - great reception for Jon Walters as he leaves the pitch - surely Walters is now number one option up front with Keane. I'd even have him ahead of an in-form Doyle at his stage. His physical attributes combined with his ability to run at defenders and link up play makes him an almost ideal partner for Keane.
80 mins Game starting to fade out now with Estonia looking clueless and out on their feet. Is there any way that we could implode now? Unlikely when you look at the Ireland defence, it has to be said that we are looking almost certainties to be going to Poland and Ukraine next summer.
Goals reaction from RTE.ie's Rory Houston at the A. Le Coq Arena: That's why Walters got the nod and "Ole, Ole" echoes around the stadium, one of Ireland's true greats Robbie Keane sends the Irish fans into ecstasy. Poland and Ukraine, here we come.
77 mins Hunt blasts the free over the bar, while Fahey on for Whelan in the middle of the park. Fahey sporting some 'tache all in aid of Mo-vember, no doubt.
76 mins RED CARD Piiroja sent off. Keane and Piiroja battle for the ball and the centre half handles the ball and picks up his second yellow and takes his punishment. Estonia down to nine men.
74 mins Another important goal for Keane as he takes his total to 52 international goals for the Ireland captain. Fields of Athenry now blasting out around the stadium.
71 mins ESTONIA 0-3 REP OF IRELAND Free kick rolled to Andrews who blasts it past the wall - keeper is all over the place and can only get a foot on it. Keane first to react and slots it home. Great spell for Ireland after weathering a few decent attacks from the home side.
GOAL KEANE 0-3
70 mins Andrews runs through the middle and wins the free - Piiroja sees a yellow and will miss the next game.
69 mins Again Estonia put a bit of pressure on the Irish defence but the back four have been solid all night and Ireland clear.
67 mins McGeady attacks down the left, cuts inside, drills a great shot at the keeper who can only parry. Keane loops one up to the back post for Walters to nod down and over the line before it is cleared but the linesman puts the flag up to signal the goal and it was clearly over the line.
GOAL IRELAND 2-0 WALTERS
From RTE.ie's Rory Houston at the A. Le Coq Arena: The fourth official has instructed everybody on the Irish bench, bar Trap, to stay in their seats and not get involved with the referees decisions.
64 mins It's all Estonia at the moment. Trapattoni needs to do something here to get Ireland back in control of this game.
62 mins Duff and Whelan collide and Estonia break up the pitch. Irish players get back as the home side, natually, play on despite Duff still on the ground. Ball eventually put out and Duff gets some attention. Duff looks like he will be ok.
60 mins Estonia prodigal son Lindpere is sent into the battle to a huge reaction from the home crowd. Lindpere came out of exile to play in these games as he is now playing for New York Red Bulls.
59 mins Ireland struggling to take control of the game and not holding onto the ball. Richard Dunne may be struggling with an injury. We'll keep an eye on that.
56 mins Ireland put high ball into the box but Estonia deal with it. Comes back in and McGeady knocks it back but cleared again and Estonia go on the attack. Ward does well again to intercept the danger.
55 mins Ireland attack and McGeady cuts inside to shoot but the ball drags wide. More Irish pressure and win a free just inside the Estonia half.
54 mins Estonia win a free on the edge of the box as Vunk takes a swan dive into the box. Ref thinks about it for a couple of seconds and gives the free. Free smashed into crowded area and Dunne deflects wide. Corner creates more chaos but Ireland clear
FULL TIMES
Bosnia-Herzegovina 0-0 Portugal
Turkey 0-3 Croatia
GOALFLASH: Czech Republic 1 (Vaclav Pilar 63) Montenegro 0
49 mins Duff floats a corner to the near post - Andrews nearly on the end of it as the keeper comes out waving for a taxi. Estonia clear as Andrews goes off with a bloody nose - new jersey needed but no number required by all accounts. Don't know what that was all about in Moscow.
48 mins Composed play as Ireland pass across the pitch. Ball worked out to McGeady who plays in Ward who crosses to Keane but his shot is blocked and Estonia clear. Duff gets a shot in but well gathered by the keeper. Ireland keep up the pressure and win a corner.
47 mins Andrews fouls in the middle of the pitch but Estonia waste the free and Ireland go on the attack down the right with Duff getting on the ball.
2051 Second half just about to start.
2050 Dunphy calling for Fahey to come on to dictate the tempo - good shout from Eamo. Not sure if it will happen though.
2045 Some grat comments coming in to the #rtesoccer thread on Twitter - @Martinoleary Another goal and we'll probably have 11 new players declaring for Ireland before the second leg! #rtesoccer #ireest
2040 Great shot of Robbie Keane shouting at his players in the first half to pass the ball as 'they only have ten men', he shouts.
HALF-TIME: Estonia 0-1 Rep of Ireland
45 mins Last bit of action of the first half as the ref blows for the interval... Pretty hectic first half with the goal and the sending off and lots and lots of shooting from Estonia. Job well done for Trap's side. More of the same in the second half.
44 mins Ward into space on left wing - drills it at the keeper but the two forwards were waiting for the pull back at the edge of the box. They really should have attacked and Ward probably should have had a look. Estonia clear.
43 mins What Dunphy might say at half time: They've bottled it, Bill.
42 mins Free to Estonia from 35 yards - Vassiljev in his element hitting another from distance but starts rising and still rising as I type...
40 mins Ahjupera penalised for dangerous play for nearly taking the head off Ward. Yellow card. Harsh says Ronnie Whelan... Really. That's a tough tackling centre midfield talking.
Red card reaction from RTE.ie's Rory Houston at the A. Le Coq Arena: Stepanov looked devastated leaving the field but he knew the referee had no option. Ireland just need to continue as they are and they can all but seal Euro 2012 qualification tonight.
38 mins Estonia looking frustrated now and just pinging the ball forward at any opportunity. Surely Trapattoni will instruct the side to try and kill the game and the tie in the second half.
36 mins Whelan took the resulting free from outside the box but blasted it over the bar.
35 mins Confusion at the back for Estonia - terrible ball played into the feet of Keane who gets upended and Stepanov shown a second yellow and is off. Could probably have been a straight red but either way Estonia down to ten men.
35 mins RED CARD Stepanov sent off
33 mins Walters played in up the right and runs at the defence - takes a shot from a difficult angle but flies over the bar without testing the keeper. Keane was shouting for it on the edge of the box but to be honest he was behind the play and Walters was right to shoot.
31 mins First bit of action down the right side of the pitch but Kelly's cross finds the keeper. Good to see both full backs getting forward all the same.
28 mins Great Estonia ball down the right wing - Ward makes a beautifully timed tackle to put it out of danger for a corner - mistimed that and we were looking at a penalty and potential red card.
26 mins Pace of the game has at last slowed - for the sake of my limited typing skills - and Estonia starting to regroup and start again. Both sides need a bit of a breather. Ireland again attack down the left but ball runs harmlessly through to the keeper.
24 mins Better from Ireland with some composed possession across midfield and defence. Walters is showing well for the ball and McGeady getting more of the ball.
22 mins Oh so close for Estonia as Vassiljev, this time, with a sensational shot from the right - about five yards outside the box - Given was at full stretch as the ball flew past the post but only just. Given may have had it covered but expect lots more shooting like that.
Goal Reaction from RTE.ie's Rory Houston at the A. Le Coq Arena: Stunned silence as the ball looped into the net. The Green Army then celebrated a wonderful start for Ireland. They have been composed and not let the occasion get to them so far.
20 mins Estonia attack again and another shot from distance - no danger as it squirts well wide.
19 mins Kink running through the Irish midfield now and makes space for a shot - high and over the bar. Estonia get more possession and win a corner as Whelan intercepts an attack down the left. Lots of players forward but Ireland clear.
18 mins Ireland free into the box - St Ledger heads back across goal and Walters gets space to shoot but curls it high and wide - great chance for Ireland to go two up there but a bit of a snap shot by Walters.
17 mins McGeady flying now with the ball and gets chopped down in the middle of the park - yellow card for Stepanov - not the former Gooner, by the way.
15 mins Estonia are fighting back and come flying at Ireland twice inside a minute of the restart - lots of space in behind Estonia now - should leave a lot of space to exploit if the Irish defence can stay solid.
13 mins Great bit of trickery down the left and McGeady gets his cross away - it may have taken a small deflection looping it into the box but you cannot deny the quality of Andrews header to give Ireland the lead - powered down into the bottom right corner - keeper no chance.
13 mins GOAL IRELAND 0-1 ANDREWS
11 mins McGeady again down the left but crosses too early and Estonia clear.
10 mins First corner of the game as Vassiljev hits one from distance but Andrews got across well to deflect it wide. Corner into six-yard box but Given takes - no problem.
8 mins A bit of pressure from Estonia when they start to knock it around inside the Ireland half - St Ledger with an unorthodox clearance and a very good bit of sustained possession for the home side.
7 mins Estonia win free just inside the box - launched into the box - Piiroja wins header but out for a kick out.
6 mins McGeady gets his first run at the Estonia defence but well marshalled by two defenders and ball out for a kick-out. Trap on his feet barking out orders.
5 mins Estonia again looking to get the ball to Ahjupera but he is looking a bit isolated up front. He is a tall lad though, it has to be said.
4 mins Ward getting down the left wing but cross goes long and wide. Good to see the former Bohs man getting forward though.
3 mins A little bit of confusion in Irish defence as Estonia attack - sort themselves out and clear - first chant of the night - Come on you Boys in Green - Irish crowd in good spirits. Home crowds with a constant drone not too dissimilar to the vuvuzelas of the World Cup in South Africa...
2 mins More Irish pressure and Walters has dropped deep and takes a shot from distance - easy for keeper.
1 min Estonia go long with there first bit of possession but easily dealt with and Ireland attack. Bit of good pressure from Ireland. Good start.
1949 Kick-off delayed by a few minutes but we're off with Ireland in away white jersey, green shorts and socks. Playing left to right - if that helps...
1945 From RTE.ie's Rory Houston at the A. Le Coq Arena: Two Irish fans make their way into an absolutely crammed press area. Beautiful alcohol odour, draped in green, white and orange....I think they struck gold close to kick-off with a favour off somebody... Brilliant, Irish blaggers at their best.
1943 Anthems are playing and the stadium is packed. Great old-school anthem by the Estonian singers.
1942 GOALFLASH Turkey 0-2 Croatia (Mario Mandzukic 32) - Looking like Croatia are getting the job done tonight. Can Ireland do likewise.
1937 From RTE.ie's Rory Houston at the A. Le Coq Arena: The warm-ups are finished and the waiting is over. It is now or never for Trap's men. They looked quite relaxed and maybe the experience of previous play-offs will help their cause tonight. I'm going for 2-0 Ireland.
I'd go along with that, Houston - 1-0 or 2-0. But the longer we don't score the more nervy we'll get and if it's still 0-0 with 20 minutes to play, I could see Estonia maybe sneak one... But surely we'll score in the first half.
1935 Oops never gave the answer to current Irish players who were in the 2002 World Cup squad - Keane, Duff, Given and Dunne were the four from the current squad. Others who are still knocking around include Kilbane, Connolly, Steven Reid and not forgetting Clinton Morrison.
1930 Giles is hoping Ireland play like they did in Paris but knows that won't happen - Gilesy is going for a 0-0 but thinks that we are a better team with better players. Dunphy has decided to urge caution claiming that these guys will cause problems and will trouble Ireland - unless, of course, Eamon adds, they bottle it...
1925 Alan in LA reckons - for those in America without a pub to go to watch it, it is on ESPN 3. Just sign into the ESPN3 website with a Yahoo account.
1922 Last bet of the day comes from our resident cute Kerry hoor - Sean St Ledger is 18-1 to score at anytime in the game. The defender has already shown that he has an eye for goal and there should be plenty of set-pieces in tonight's game.
1920 GOALFLASH Turkey 0-1 Croatia (Ivica Olic 2)
1915 Dunphy reckons that the game will be tight with Estonia playing a very direct style hitting their 6'5" centre-forward Ahjupera. Set pieces will be key with Estonia being dangerous taking set pieces but a bit suspect defending them.
1910 Liam Brady going through the team and no real surprises, although Giles said that he thought that they would have named Cox. McGeady, Whelan, St Ledger and Kelly are all on yellow cards so another one of those and they miss the game on Tuesday. Someone in the vicinity here is shouting that he hopes McGeady picks up an early yellow card... Boo, none of that. I'm a fan of McGeady and he is the type of player that Trapattoni needs to create that magic moment in a team that doesn't make too many goalscoring opportunities.
1905 From RTE.ie's Rory Houston at the A. Le Coq Arena: Wonderful ovation for the Irish players as they emerge for the warm-up. Marco Tardelli waves to the Irish fans as the management team get set for a defining match in their era.
1900 Right then, live coverage about to start on RTE so will not get a chance to get through all your comments. You would not believe the amount of emails coming in from the furthest places throughout the world. Being out of the country for an event like this really heightens your sense of Irishness and it brought it all back to me this afternoon. To think, if the Irish government could tap into these resources that we have all over the world, this country would be a much better place for us and it might bring some of you guys home... Yeah, you can tell it's getting close to kick-off and I'm getting a bit emotional.... Here we go, let's go, Ireland.
1855 Back to domestic matters for a moment. News this afternoon that the members of Bohemians have agreed to sell Dalymount Park to pay off their €4million debts. Story here. Well no matter what you think about League of Ireland football or Bohemians for that matter, but Dalymount park is an absolute institution when it comes to Irish football and is one of the greatest landmarks in Dublin, in my opinion. Desperate time for Bohs but let's hope Dalyer stays a football stadium and not a car part for the Mater Hospital.
1850 From RTE.ie's Rory Houston at the A. Le Coq Arena: Subs named for the Ireland game: Westwood, Hunt, Keogh, Cox, Fahey, McShane, O'Dea. It's fair to say that Our Man in Tallinn, Houston is none too impressed to see Andy Keogh named on the bench but no place for Sligo Rovers legend Seamus Coleman.
1845 For anyone interested, President Michael D Higgins has just arrived in Dublin Castle - I wonder if the Galway United man has a big screen in the Castle to watch the game. If anyone needs some good footballing karma it's the Galway United fans. Will El Presidente be in Lansdowne on Tuesday for the return leg.
1840 RTE Sports exile Kevin Egan is looking to catch the game in Chicago - Howaya Mr. Leahy! Hope you're keeping well. Great job with the updates. I'm in work here in Chicago... and I'll leg
it out of work for an extended lunch and to the nearest Irish Bar,
Fado. I'll probably miss the first 20 minutes. Here's hoping for a big performance!
All good Kev, just got an email from 'easygoing147' also going to Fado in Chicago for the game - must be the place to be in the Windy City. Don't worry about the first 20 minutes, they'll just be shaping up to each other until you arrive in Fado. Btw, you home for Christmas??
1830 From RTE.ie's Rory Houston at the A. Le Coq Arena: In the stadium, 90 mins until kick-off. The Irish players are taking a look around the pitch. Supporters are beginning to arrive in. Going to be a tense evening.
1825 Well that's cheered me up no end. Walters starting is a sign that Ireland will at least be looking to get something out of tonight's game. The presence of the big Stoke City centre-forward will make the pitch a lot bigger and stretch the Estonia defence who would have had a lot of time on the ball if Cox and Keane had started. Not taking anything away from Cox but cannot see him and Keane play together in a team that is looking for a victory. The right call by Il Trap.
1823 Cheers for that, Micil. Just back from another memorable visit to the RTE canteen. Hopefully the fare being served up later on is a little bit tastier than what has just been consumed over beyond.
1822 BREAKING NEWS WALTERS STARTS UP FRONT
1818 Ed's back now so I will leave you in his capable hands for the rest of the evening. He will do his best to get to all your mails but they are coming in thick and fast and there is a game to watch afterall...MG
1817 Alan Cox and Eva Mallin: In Vegas getting ready to watch the game in The Venetian sports bar. Come on the boys in Green !!, 1-2 Ireland, I can feel it
The Slab: Here in Phoenix, going to watch the game at lunchtime with all the Irish lads, Joey, Bernard, Dave and Wardy. Expecting an away goal, a clean sheet and some sore heads in the morning.Come on the boys in green.
Liam Mycroft: In Avellaneda, Argentina, will have to rely on RTE for the match as doesn't appear to be being shown here, mores the pity - But will be following attentively, and looking forward to a decent result to take onto Tuesday.
1814 Francis O’Connor: Watching from my office in Oakland, California. 2 hours to kick-off and already very nervous! Come on Ireland!!!!
Quinlan Osborne: All the best to the boys today and i hope my brothers who are scattered around the world find a place to watch the match. All other posts on this forum seem able to find a place to watch no matter how remote their location but here in Montreal there is only one bar that will show it and that is on a fuzzy internet feed. Note to All the Irish bars in Montreal and there are many who claim to be just that.......spend a couple of bucks and show the matches.
Kevin Dockrell: Currently stuck in the middle of nowhere on a train from Baltimore to Philadelphia. Wont get to see it as the secretary scheduled a business meeting that clashes ....... Her p45 is in the post!! C'mon the boys in green!! Two nil Ireland, one from dunne's head, one from ward's nose!!
Mark Halpin: Watching with a group of mates on the lovely island of Bermuda. George Hook, Big Mal, The Mullet Byrne and a few other Irish lads are here for the rugby classics but we'll let them join us in "the beach" if they want! Let's do it Ireland. Jon Walters to announce himself on the international scene today!!
1810 John Keyes: Sitting patiently at my desk in Santa Ana, California, no chance of seeing the game, the text updates better be frequent & accurate! [okay, MG]I listened to the France / Henry debcale on Rte radio online whilst I was in the British Virgin Islands. Why am I never in the country for these games!!!!!!
1809 Sean: No pubs here in lovely Riyadh and local TV is showing Scotland vs. Cyprus. Why or Why did they pick that game????? Guess its Radio Eireann for me tonight. 1-0 to the Bhoys in Green. Good luck to Munster tomorrow as well.
1808 Eoin in Kuala Lumpar: trying to explain where to find a bar to watch isnt easy
1807 Niall Kirwan: Heading to The Black Stuff in Luxembourg for the match. Expecting a 2-0 win.
Are the boys still there in the Pygmalion, Niall?
1806 Robert Corcoran: My local, The Kings in Islington, is showing the match on a few screens. Guinness is pretty good there too.
Rob, you're killing me…
1804 The emails are piling in - thanks for logging on
Kevin O'Shea: Match starts here in Singapore at 3.45am, it's on the telly here so I'll be at home with a cuppa coffee!
Gerard Hurley: Go Ireland from ex pats in Northern California!!!
Cathy and Brian: looking forward listening to the game on RTE in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Come on you boys in Green.
Sean and Brian Conroy: here in Rockville Centre New York and planning to cheer on the boys in green and watch the match via live webstream! Robbie to build on his goalscoring record with 2 more in the win!
1800 Sharon in Brasilia: Keep us informed lads, in the capital of Brazil desperately flicking through the channels on the off chance the game pops up like it did in 2009 when i watched the now infamous france game in the equivalent of a dixons electrical shop. by the end of that game i had 20 Brazilian staff gesticulating wildly at the injustice and commiserating with me. Am hoping for a very different result today, come on Ireland!!!!! Hello to all in Dundalk!!
1756 Our man Rory in Tallinn says: Irish fans have been singing non-stop while one has shown me tickets for a raffle allegedly held by John Delaney for match tickets in a bar last night.
1752 Noel Sheehy in Stockholm If this game is anything like the last two games we are in for 90 minutes of torture.
Trapattoni's insistance of playing such boring, limited football is bewildering. It would be one thing if we killed teams off, playing German-style provision football, its another thing seeing your team played off the park and hanging on by the skin of their teeth, looking about as organised as an under 10 schoolboy side.
How Trapattoni can ignore players like Coleman and M'cCarthy,and Hoolihan is shocking.
I'm cannot imagine our luck holding out much longer. Any team playing us knows all they need to do is man-mark our wingers and our game is over.
Very negative, Noel, very negative. Ole, Ole, Ole...come on!
1749 David Levy We tend to talk up past Irish teams to ridiculous proportions while at the same time belittling the current crop of players. But man for man is this Irish team really much worse than the team which competed (and did relatively well) in the 2002 World Cup? I would argue that we have better defenders, better wingers and more options up front. Only in central midfield could you say the 2002 team was significantly better. Hope the lads can prove themselves in a big competition once again!
1747 Mark Mannion Sitting in work with my legs going crazy with nerves. Cannot wait to get out and into the pub. I know everyone has their own opinions and feelings on John Delaney but one thing you can't fault is his passion for Ireland, throwing ties into the crowd and open bars for the fans. He is in his element as CEO.
1745 Here's the low down on Estonia's main men
1740 Kevin Daly: Looking forward to the updates later on as there isn't a hope i'm gonna get to see the game here in deepest, darkest India! All the best to Trap and the Boys in Green tonight. Hopefully the ever reliable travelling green army can play its part in ensuring the right result in Tallinn and set us up for one hell of a game at the Aviva next week. Go on the Irish!
1737 Ed's gone on his break before the big game; he said the nerves were beginning to kick in as well and may just watch the Connacht match instead.
1710 Richard Ryan and Luke Farrell: Trying to find a pub in Hanoi to watch the game and it appears we have found somewhere that will 'stay open for us!' Getting nervous now and no doubt will be a wreck by 2.30am! Come on the boys in green!
Had to bribe the barman in a pub in Hanoi in order to be able to watch the game tonight. Will be almost 3 a.m here before the kick off. Will be well worth it, for the first time in a long time I'm actually feeling confident of a victory and looking forward to Polkraine next summer. The boys deserve at least one summer holiday.
Beeny in Munich - Co'mon Ireland I think we can win away but would be happy with a score draw.
Eddie and his 5 month old son amanuel in addis ababa , ethiopia ready to cheer on the boys in green ..very confident ... also hoping those cavan players sort out their rows in the camp and concentrate on delivering for cavan in next years championship
1705 Philip Curran needs our help: Anyone know a place to watch match in Ankara?? Got to see the match..
1700 With less than three hours to go, some more shout outs to the Irish fans around the world, dodging work and bribing bar men just to see the match.
Finbar, a man in green but far far away! In Prague - Sitting in an office in Prague, wearing the green colors and haven't been off RTE all day! Would love to see Walters feature tonight. Played really well in the 10 minutes he was on in the last game. Predicting a 1-0 win for our lads, early goal and then that famous discipline at the back to keep the Estonians out.
Any Irish in Prague should get down to Paddy O Reilly beside Wenceslas SquareDamien in Toronto!! I’m one of the unfortunate few who will have to content himself with listening to the game on Radio 1 at my desk in work. I work in a quiet environment so will have to try and keep a lid on celebrations if we do manage to grab a goal this evening.
Colm & Debbie in Kuala Lumpur - Good luck to the boys in green tonight, do us proud !
Michael in Germany - Hey lads, I’m going to Bielefeld (Germany) soon to pick up my good mate to watch Trap and the lads make us proud.
Ken Richardson – a Limerick FC fan in exile in Tulsa, Oklahoma: 6 hour time diff – glued to RTE.ie at work…..Hoping for the boys to get a 2-0 win at least tonight…… C’mon you boys in Green..!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the great coverage..
Robert in Peru - Come on Ireland
HJ Staunton - Hello from Paris, waiting patiently for the match 2-0 Robbie and Coxy to score!
1655 Liamo says that he’ll be: …drinking the infamous Trapattoni Cocktail (Tequila, Rum and Tonic, with Lime) tonight at Bleecker Street Café on Dorset Street…a cocktail invented in honour of Trap's appointment back in the day, In Trap we trust...
The Trapattoni Cocktail - sounds....eh, eh.... interesting.
1645 The Riverdance theme continues, it seems (see 1630): Declan Masterson says: The Cast of Riverdance will be closely following the game in Tallinn as we travel from Santa Ynez, California to Modesto. Fortunately our coaches have internet. Go on ye Boys in Green !
Great spot that Santa Ynez - location of Sideways movie - enjoy the match and the wine...
1640 Niall Kilmurray - Cant believe Stephen Reid of WBA has not been approached to come out of retirement. What an option he would be at full back considering Trap will not deploy Coleman there. Nevertheless my moneys on a 2-0 win for us tonight with McGeady to star!
I don't think that Reid actually retired and would definitely get my nod for a place in the squad. I remember a youthful Reid coming on in the 2002 World Cup clash with Cameroon and it would be great to get him back in for the Euros. Btw, does anyone know how many of the current squad were part of the 2002 World Cup squad??
1635 From RTE.ie's Rory Houston in Tallinn: Saw one Irish fan pay €100 for a ticket in the home end. A huge mark-up, but not bad in the circumstances. Still no news on the choice between Cox and Walters. Trap holding the cards to his chest which is quite rare.
€100 for a match ticket is not too shabby, Rory. Sure what else would he be doing with his €100 in Tallinn??
1630 From Mark Mannion - Sitting in work with my legs going crazy with nerves. Cannot wait to get out and into the pub. I know everyone has their own opinions and feelings on John Delaney but one thing you can't fault is his passion for Ireland, throwing ties into the crowd and open bars for the fans. He is in his element as CEO. No time for the John Delaney debate at the moment, Mark. But what's going on with your legs?? I have this vision of you doing Riverdance under the desk while keeping a straight, composed demeanour from the waist up...
1620 Christopher Paye has named and shamed the three jumping eejits (my words not his) in the photo (see below 1520). Colm O’ Donnell on the left, Keith McConnell in the middle and Thomas Kelly on the right. According to James O'Reilly, the lads are from Ballincollig in Cork and have been wreaking havoc on their European sojourn - it's all on YouTube apparently...
1615 Neil McCole in reply to our Estonian friend (1535) Estonia the smallest country to qualify (for the playoffs)? I think you’ll find that’s Montenegro, Nikolai. In fairness, I think he was talking about smallest, if they qualify. Is Montenegro smaller than Estonia - population, area?? Beats me...
1610 Still plenty of unequivocal support for Trap out there - G Cullen says that there is no one with Trap's pedigree to do the job for half the wages, while Damien in Limerick says: I’m tired of all the abuse thrown towards Trapattoni and his defensive tactics. He has done a terrific job in charge of Ireland, taking us from a side that was hardly competitive under Steve Staunton, to within a whisker of the World Cup, and now on the cusp of a place at Euro 2012. Who cares if the football isn’t attractive as long as long as we’re putting ourselves in a position to qualify for these major tournaments. The end most certainly justifies the means.
Lads, I'm not arguing with what Trap has done for the profile of the team and for football in the country it's just that it is hard to watch at the best of times. If you look at the football that this team played in Paris two years ago, it shows what could be possible with a little bit more belief in the players' abilities. Cannot argue with him staying on if we qualify though - qualifying for the big tournaments is the ultimate aim for football in Ireland.
1600 The latest from our Facebook poll is for Trap to stay on for the next camaign but only if we qualify for Euro 2012 - that's around 50 per cent with about 25 per cent saying No and another 25 per cent with full backing for Trapno matter what happens tonight. www.facebook.com/rtesoccer
1550 Thanks for all the emails from the Irish worldwide:
Marty in Madrid: Marty here, gonna celebrate a 2-1 win to Ireland with a pint o plain in the James Joyce in Madrid beside alcala gate
Dave in the Cayman Islands: Glued to the updates already, all the way from Cayman Islands.. Keep it up lads!! 5 hours behind here so will be glued to the RTE website from this side of the world!!! Come on the boys in green - lets finish it tonight!!!
Barry in Nigeria: Best of luck to Ireland tonight. We need a positive result to take back to the Aviva and I am positive it will get done. 2-0 will do nicely.
Colm in Prague: Hoping for the best in Prague too, I'll be sitting in my regular Irish pub here to cheer on the lads. I wouldn't be so optimistic about the high scoring though, we tend to have difficulties scoring more than 1. And I think we'll all settle for a 1-0 away if it's going!
1545 From @Gavoleary to #rtesoccer on Twitter: Duff, number 11, playing on the 11/11/11 and is 11/1 to score first. Must be worth 11 euro! #rtesoccer #cmononyouboysingreen
I like it Gav. Right, that's bet number two...
1535 The View From the Other Side From Nikolai, originally from Viljandi in Estonia, but living in Dublin: Our team is in the best shape ever. Ireland, from the other side, is not so good this year so both teams have equal chances. Estonia already made history twice: first time ever qualifying into the next round and is the smallest country ever to qualify. Estonia are full of surprises this year. It’s going to be an interesting match tonight.
1530 Glyn Griffiths in Holywell, Wales: Followed the game on RTE feeds. Just over a year ago, I helped RTE by reporting on The New Saints v Bohemians match in the Champions League, and probably saw Irish football at its lowest. What a difference twelve months makes – congratulations to Shamrock Rovers – all the best in the group stages.
Very true Glyn. It has been some year for Irish football and Shamrock Rovers in particular. As it happens Rovers already enjoyed Champions League success in tonight's venue A. Le Coq Arena, so hopefully Trap's boys can take some inspiration from the Irish champions.
1525 RTE.ie's Rory Houston in Tallinn: There is a big sense of excitement here with Estonia in reach of a historic qualification for a major finals. The streets may be lined with Irish fans but I can't see too many home supporters parting with their ticket for the biggest match in the country's existence. Hundreds of Irish fans outside Molly Malone's bar in the Old Town in Tallinn. They are in great voice. Despite the small stadium, the atmosphere is going to be electric.
1520 Take a minute to look at this photograph. Do you know these people? Okay, fair enough, they spent good money to get to Tallinn to support the Boys in Green, but jumping for the camera - seriously lads...
1515 Spare a thought for Joe Buggy in New York. Correcting a pile of college papers and can hardly concentrate! Maybe I should just give them all A's and head to the bar early to get a good seat. I'm going for 2-0 tonight. Keane and a long range special from Whelan. My American wife has even donned the green at work today. No doubt to the bemusement of her majority soccer hating co-workers! C'mon YBIG!
Yes Joe, A's all round - and get thee to the pub. McCormack's on 23rd street by any chance??
1510 There's an interesting battle going on over at the WRC World Rally Championship Academy title. Bear with me.... There is an Irish lad and an Estonian lad battling it out for top spot. Craig Breen has won six of the opening seven stages today to move clear of Estonia's Egon Kaur. It's a sign...
1505 From Farlo in Melbourne: Can't see anything other than a win for the Boys in Green tonight. Ireland far too big at 7/5. Will be 3-0, hat-trick for Robbie.
Cheers Farlo - 7/5, really?? Might have a bit of that later... By the way is Farlo your Aussie-fied name? My cousin moved over when he was a kid. He left Ireland as Ciaran and now he's just plain old Ron... Gotta love the Aussies for their knack of simplifying things.
1500 So where is the best place to watch the match tonight in Dublin, Belfast, Cork or Donegal...?? Is Sinnotts Bar on St Stephen's Green still the best place in the city centre? And what about the Submarine in Crumlin - is that still going??
1455 Bill Gleeson has been on the Twitter machine - howiya Ed @rtesoccer, heading to Staggs of Musselburgh to watch the game tonight with the Irish lads Nervy 1-0 win #YBIG #rtesoccer
Musselburgh, I'm told by Mr Wiki would appear to be just outside Edinburgh and is the 'largest settlement in East Lothian, on the coast of the Firth of Forth'. Good stuff, Bill, enjoy the game. See you in Kazan next month??!!
1450 From RTE.ie's Rory Houston in Tallinn: On my flight from Glasgow to Riga yesterday the Ireland fans had a competition to see who could roar "Come on Ireland" the loudest, which was amusing, but didn't please every passenger. There were plenty of jealous Scots on the plane!
Seems like it was a bit of a planes, trains and automobiles journey for young Mr Houston - anyone else over in Tallinn that had a bit of an adventure getting to the Estonia capital? Or any tales of crazy journeys to previous Ireland games?? Do tell...
1440 A taste of some of the comments on our Facebook poll as the the future of Il Trap:
Ronan Coogan Results speak for themself, after the Stan debacle we would have took this, and anyway who could we get to replace him with the peanuts that the FAI could offer? Trap should defo get a new contract no matter what.
Tis true, Ronan that Trap has made us - almost - forget about the Stan debacle but there are a lot of top level manager who would do the job for only half the 'peanuts' that Trapattoni is getting.
Jose Guiri Very unlucky not to get us to a World Cup. Should open up a bit more and let them attack. The football has been crap to watch, especially at home vs Slovakia. If we get to a big tournament we'll gloss over that. BUT if we don’t get through this play off he should be go
Strong words Jose - can't disagree with most of that - especially the bit about the football being crap to watch. Thankfully, I was only a young fella when Big Jack arrived with his own brand of 'football'
Conor Doyle Results do speak for themselves. Until they are as poor as some of the performances, it's hard to have a solid case against Trap. Also, if the boys get through these next few days all right, everyone will be more than happy ... but it can be hard work watching at times and I expect another 3 hours of tough viewing to come! I hope I'm wrong! - Sorry Conor but it WILL be tough - even if we're winning.
JP Beirne Not the most attractive football but he has made us very hard to beat and competitive, his track record is second to none. I was a cynic at first but with the group of players we have he has got far above their resources, simple as if we don't get past Estonia he'll be writing his own p45.
?Aine Byrne Two play offs says something. It has been hard to watch at times but if it is a means to an end then it’s worth it.
1430 Well it wouldn't be matchday here in RTE Towers without an email from our good friend, Ghostie O'Toole (love the name): I'm optimistic regarding this evening. I think we can put it to bed tonight If we play to our capabilities and keep it tight in defence as we have been doing. This has been a great campaign for the lads, only one defeat and that "goleden point" as Traps put it in Moscow means we have a right to be confident.
1420 Our poll on the RTE Soccer Twitter and Facebook pages is backing Jon Walters to start ahead of Simon Cox. Walters has been in great form in the Premier League but Cox shone in the final qualifier with Armenia. It is a big call for Giovanni Trapattoni. Read back on the answers using #rtesoccer
1415 The positivity keeps coming and this time from someone with influence. Skipper Robbie Keane says that Ireland are going for a win tonight. Read the story here.
1405 We've a new Facebook page and we're running a poll on people's thoughts on the Gaffer. That's Trapattoni and not 'The Gaffer'. It's not a vote of no confidence or anything like that, just wondering if he'll be in charge of the next campaign irrespective of the play-off result. www.facebook.com/rtesport.
1350 So is the conservative approcah the way to go for the first leg? First emailer of the day, Tony Gaffney, reckons that patience is needed and the result will take care of itself: A good performance tonight is what is needed, no need to chase the game, chances will come we just need to be paitent 2-0 to Ireland ritchie Dunne to score from a set piece.
1340 From RTE.ie's Rory Houston in Tallinn: Thousands of Irish fans have made their way to Tallinn, many without a ticket, to support the team. While it was quiet around the city this morning things are livening up now around the bars in the old town.
Just a liitle bit jealous, Rory. Ticket or no ticket, Tallinn is the place to be around 7.45pm tonight.
1335 Still waiting to hear who Trapattoni is going to start with up front alongside skipper Robbie Keane. I'm certainly hoping that Walters gets the nod in what will be sign of a positive approach from the Ireland boss. What do you think? Walters or Cox?
Our intrepid reporter Rory Houston spent the summer traipsing around the continent following Sligo Rovers and, once again, he finds himself in eastern Europe, this time with the Boys in Green. We'll be getting regular updated from Our Man in Tallinn.
1330 Good afternoon. Well it's only a few hours to kick-off in Tallinn for the first leg of this Euro 2012 qualifier. Can Ireland get the job done in Tallinn tonight or are they going to do it the hard way at the Aviva on Tuesday night. Or... are they going to do it at all. Of course they are....right??
