Keane gives Irish victory

The Liverpool hitman headed home the 35th goal of his senior international career with just five minutes gone to extend the Italian's unbeaten run to six games and put his side firmly in the race for top spot in World Cup qualifying Group Eight.

But it took a superb 86th-minute save from Shay Given to deny Dimitris Christofi an equaliser as Cyprus emerged from a lethargic start to finally make an impression.

Ireland dominated the opening 45 minutes and could have been even further ahead by the break but for a solid display from Cypriot keeper Antonis Giorgallides and the heroics of defender Marios Elia.

Given had to make one vital first-half save from Michalis Konstantinou, but although he was rarely called upon again until the death, the men in front of him were forced to mount a determined rearguard action as the visitors belatedly found their feet.

Cyprus' 5-2 demolition of Ireland in a European Championship qualifier in October 2006 and the 1-1 draw at Croke Park which followed it a year later have burnt deep into the national psyche.

But Damien Duff and Aiden McGeady combined to hand Keane the chance to give his side a dream start with just five minutes gone when the Celtic man picked out his Newcastle counterpart and he supplied the perfect right-foot cross for Keane to head unopposed into the empty net.

And defender Andreas Constantinou almost unwittingly doubled Ireland's tally 10 minutes before the break when his attempt to block a McGeady cross sent the ball looping over his own keeper, although Elia bravely headed off the line under intense pressure from Duff.

McGeady could, and perhaps should, have calmed the nerves with 15 minutes remaining when he was handed the chance to cap an enterprising night in style. Glenn Whelan picked him out in space on the right and with Giorgallides advancing, he chipped the ball over him with the outside of his right-foot, only to see it sail agonisingly just over the crossbar.

The ever-industrious Kevin Doyle forced a one-handed save from Giorgallides with six minutes remaining, but it was Given who excelled himself at the death, blocking Christofi's goalbound drive with his legs.