By no means was the win easy last night, as conditions were terrible with Dublin trashed with rain all afternoon and through to the evening. The left flank at the west stand resembled small swimming pools, and when the ball landed it stopped in its spot. If you were to add up the months that Mark Kinsella, and Gary Doherty were injured for recently, it would come to 26 in total. Well it only took 84 minutes for both of them to score, Doherty starting only his eight time at senior level. OK!. Another friendly, but more importantly another win on home soil too. The line up containing Gary Breen (Captain) at centre back, Rory Delap in midfield and Finnan at the left of Defence.

Rory Delap took the first advantage with a run on the left, and placed a smashin cross in for Finnan. Finnan than placed a perfectly weighted cross in for Kinsella, who subsequently put in the left corner of Friedels net, with a superb volley. Rob Keane came close on 18 minutes with what should had been our second, passing to Healy who just missed it. The Heroic Given managed to keep our lead safe, when he just managed to tap Matis's shot past the post. But that was the warning.The impossible surface would not allow long placed balls, so set routines were essential to deal with the setback of the weather. This was how the U.S.A. scored with Pope popping up for a header past Given. Delap had given Pope to much space in the box.

Roy Keane was missed as at times the midfield was easily penetrated. This is something Mick would have noticed, will rectify because he has the time. Duffer earned us 3 free kicks before the break, however Friedel remained solid in his net. Six changes at half time by Ireland and five by the U.S.A.. Ireland came out fighting and set play eventually led to Stauntons corner, Dohertys header.Bang - IN THE BACK OF THE NET. All in all a fantastic performance by a team playing very well together. The Team spirit was prominent again for the full 91 minutes. The conditions were just awful. And we assumed they would abandon the game at half time. Quite a few of the supporters in the South Bucket left, as the weather was obvioulsy getting the better of them. Still there were a lot of bin liners acting as mac's keeping people dry. But they didnt keep anyone dry, well not really cause it poured all night, easing slightly at the second half. Now I know why there was no bin liners in the toilets during half time?!

Bring on Sunderland and Nigeria

Teams on the night

Rep of Ireland: Given, Finnan (G Kelly h-t), O'Brien (Cunningham (h-t), Breen, Harte (Staunton h-t), Delap, Kinsella (Holland h-t), Healy, Kilbane (Reid h-t), Duff (Connolly h-t), Robbie Keane (Morrison 82).

USA: Friedel (Keller h-t), Armas (Heyduk 69), Berhalter (Vanney h-t), Sanneh, O'Brien (Lewis 46), Pope, Stewart (Donovan h-t), McBride (Moore h-t), Reyna, Mathis (Wolff 65), Agoos.