Forza Trapattoni As Irish Cruise To Euro 2012?

Estonia 0 – 4 Republic of Ireland

Dare we dream just yet? Many will think so as the Republic of Ireland made one giant step in insuring qualification for Euro 2012 in Poland with a 4-0 win against 9 man Estonia in Tallin.

Alot was said durning the week by players and fans about forgetting the pain and horror of THAT night in Paris when the hand of Henry denied Ireland a place in the 2010 World Cup but it now seems like Ireland will feature in a first major tournament in 10 years and a first European Championship since 1988.

Irelands first goal came in the 13th minute and out of all people it was Keith Andrews from a yard or two outside the six yard box, he rose up above his marker to get on the end of a cross from Aiden McGeady from the left to plant a firm header past Sergei Pareiko who will miss the tie in Dublin after getting a yellow card late on conceeding a penalty.

It was the perfect start for Ireland, with the value of the away goal potentially decisive, but Estonia, who edged out Serbia and Slovenia to claim a play-off spot, underlined their credentials by boldly attempting to get back in the game right away.

Moments after Andrews’ opener, the unmarked Kruglov wasted a wonderful chance to equalise when he volleyed wide from close range before Vassiljev went close with a 30-yard strike that whistled past Shay Given’s right-hand post.

Estonia were adventurous going forward, but they were less convincing defensively and careless play by Aleksandr Dmitrijev on 35 minutes led to the dismissal of Andrei Stepanov for a foul on Robbie Keane.

Caught in possession by McGeady, Dmitriev’s loose ball fell to Keane 40 yards from goal, but the Ireland captain was pole-axed by Stepanov’s late challenge and the defender, already booked, was rightly sent off by Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai.

With a one-man advantage, Ireland clearly had the opportunity to put the tie beyond Estonia by adding to their lead in the second-half and the message from manager Giovanni Trapattoni appeared to be one of urging his team to take a firm grip on their passport to Euro 2012.

As a result, the Irish heaped early pressure on Estonia at the start of the second-half and only three minutes had been played before they carved out their first chance.

Andrews, currently on loan at Ipswich after being hounded out of Blackburn followed a sustained campaign of terraces criticism from the Ewood Park supporters, was excelling in midfield and his run into the penalty area led to a cross from which Keane should have made it 2-0.

But the LA Galaxy forward’s turn and shot from ten yards was blocked by a defender before Damien Duff’s effort from the rebound was saved by Pareiko.

Ireland put the game, and the tie, beyond Estonia when Walters scored his first international goal with a far post header after Keane had crossed from the edge of the six yard box.

But with Estonia’s morale now shattered, Ireland showed their ruthless streak by turning the screw and banishing any doubt about the outcome of this tie.

Keane claimed his 52nd international on 71 minutes when he pounced on the rebound from Andrews’ free-kick before slotting into the net from close range.

And the former Tottenham forward was then at the centre of the second red card of the game, for Piiroja, after the Estonian defender had handled the ball to deny Keane a clear run on goal.

Down to nine men, Estonia were all over the place and their misery was capped when Keane made it 4-0 from the penalty spot two minutes from full-time.

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.