Analysis: Mark Lawrenson It may have been a friendly by name but Brian Kerr will have taken a great deal of satisfaction from the Republic of Ireland's victory, not least for the performance on the night.

The Czech Republic has one of the best records in world football at the moment and they came to Dublin with a pretty full side - they were probably missing three players - intent on winning this match.

It was an entertaining night's football, the slow tempo of the first half giving way to a more frenetic second 45 minutes. When both sides were at their strongest in the first half, it was very competitive and that was illustrated in the midfield battles, the tackling and the lack of time and space on the ball.

One of the most important factors for the home side was the fact that they created opportunities against a physically imposing Czech side and that, despite conceding a sloppy goal, they kept pushing.

Even before Robbie Keane grabbed the winner it would have been a productive night for the home team. The multitude of changes towards the end of the night guaranteed that the game would be even more open and players were therefore susceptible to individual errors, but it didn't really detract from the spectacle.

What impressed me was that the majority of the chances Ireland created came from wide areas, which will be important when the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign begins. That's going to be a key issue for Ireland when they look to break down teams because it is an area of strength.

There aren't too many more superlatives you can heap on Damien Duff but he was seen at his best last night. He got the ball facing the defenders instead of having to track back and receive it with his back to the opposition goal. There are few more frightening prospects for defenders than having Duff running straight at you.

He created havoc and was a major provider. There was an excellent balance to the team, with Andy Reid doing well on the right and he and Duff were also able to interchange flanks.

Alan Maybury did well, looked assured on the ball and concentrated when required to do his defensive duties. It was a good all-round team performance.

First-half honours were probably even as the Czechs might have just shaded the number of clear-cut opportunities created. Jan Koller should have done better with his chance but in every game you have to enjoy a bit of good fortune.

The fact that this match was competitive made it one of the best games in which Ireland have played in recent times and a hugely worthwhile fixture as a result. It was light years removed in terms of tempo from the Brazilian game, with more of an edge to it.

The fact that the Czechs came with an unbeaten record that stretches over 20 games guaranteed they would want to extend that run and also highlighted their quality. Ian Harte demonstrated that he can play at left back and conjured one of his trademark free kicks.

One of the unsung heroes of this team is Kevin Kilbane. There is less pressure on him in midfield than there would be out on the wing and that helps him to play his own game.

He gets his foot in, works hard and offers plenty going forward. The fact that he is able to drift wide when required adds to the potency of this Irish team. He commits people to the tackle.

It is important to remember that the Czechs will start as one of the favourites for Euro 2004 and there were passages of football last night that reinforced that standing. It only goes to highlight just how well Ireland did on the night.

This fixture was an ideal preparation for forthcoming World Cup qualifying games against Switzerland, for example.

In an interview with John O'Sullivan