Duff winner seals Ireland victory

Damien Duff's first half goal was good enough to secure a 1-0 victory for the Republic of Ireland over Norway at Lansdowne Road.

It was the ideal way for the Republic to mark manager Brian Kerr's first home game in charge.

And it capped a great night for Ireland, who saw their hopes of qualifying for Euro 2004 boosted by the news that Georgia had beaten Russia earlier Wednesday to leave Group 10 open.

Duff's fourth international goal in 36 appearances came about following one of several well-worked moves.

Tottenham striker Robbie Keane found clubmate Stephen Carr out on the right. Duff's header from Carr's cross was blocked by defender Christer Basma but the Blackburn star, playing just behind the strikers in midfield, followed up to score from a few yards out.

At the back, Republic goalkeeper Shay Given won his 50th international cap and the Newcastle shot-stopper had to react quickly to clear Ian Harte's underhit back pass.

But, at the other end, a 22-pass move almost led to a memorable goal with Duff, out on the right, tricking two Norway defenders before making room for a cross.

The ball was fractionally behind Mark Kinsella but the Charlton midfielder still got in a sharp volley which keeper Frode Olsen needed two attempts to save.

Kerr kept the same side for the start of the second half and might have gone 2-0 up in the 53rd minute when Carr's shot from a seemingly impossible angle close to the byline hit the crossbar.

But Norway, who made three changes at half-time, started to get back into the game and, after Given went off on the hour mark, Ireland were indebted to Nicky Colgan.

The Hibernian goalkeeper, elevated from number three following the international retirement of Charlton keeper and long-serving Given deputy Dean Kiely, twice preserved Ireland's lead.

With his first touch he blocked Tore Andre Flo's header from a corner and after 77 minutes he again denied Flo, saving the striker's shot low at his right post.