SOCCER/Euro 2008 Group D, San Marino 1 Rep of Ireland 2:It's funny how these things sometimes occur to you afterwards but in all the excitement of the build- up to last night's European Championship qualifier in San Marino none of the travelling press corps ever thought to ask Steve Staunton whether, were it offered, he would have taken a-one goal win. Emmet Malonein San Marino
What he would have said we can only guess now but what is certain is that as the final whistle sounded at the Serravalle Stadium, insults rained down on the departing Irish players from many of those who had travelled to cheer, and others called loudly for FAI chief executive John Delaney to resign, it must have seemed a good deal more palatable to the embattled Irish boss than the narrowly avoided alternative.
Only a Stephen Ireland tap-in four minutes into time added on for stoppages rescued Ireland from another night of utter humiliation away from home last night but while the team may be relieved that they took three points home with them there can only be embarrassment about the quality of the performance.
Having taken 49 minutes to open the scoring courtesy of Kevin Kilbane the Irish played as poorly in the second half as they had for the bulk of the first and when Wayne Henderson, Paul McShane and, to a lesser extent, Richard Dunne contrived to allow Manuel Marani score a rather comical equaliser four minutes from time it seemed hard to imagine how Staunton would survive what would have been Ireland's worst result since . . . well, since October.
Being a neutral at a game in these parts may well be a test of sorts but there is at least the consolation that you would rarely have to spend long hoping for a goal to kick-start one of San Marino's encounters with higher flyers from the outside world.
And for a short while Staunton's team threatened to follow a script the locals know only too well. Sadly, after a quarter of an hour during which the visitors pretty much monopolised things, doubts began to arise about whether the Irish really could entirely subdue the men from the tiny mountain state.
The Irish had travelled expecting the win while the home side, having lost each and every one of their previous 37 outings in the European Championships - it's something of a bogey competition for them - openly conceded they expected to lose.
Still, when the visitors managed just one attempt on goal - a Robbie Keane shot that flew well wide of the target - between the 15th and 38th minutes, it was hard to resist the niggling feeling that disaster might just be looming around the corner once again for the Boys in Green.
In the minutes leading up to the break chances in quick succession for Dunne, Kilbane and Shane Long started to restore some sense of proper order to the proceeding but when the interval arrived Staunton's men were still booed off by a good portion of the travelling support who had witnessed their team generate a dozen attempts of one sort or another to open the scoring without once forcing Aldo Simonici into a decent save.
When it finally came, four minutes after the restart, Kilbane's goal was well worked with Damien Duff and Keane combining well to release Steve Finnan down the right, after which the full back crossed for the Wigan midfielder to head neatly home from six yards out.
It may have been long overdue but it did at least calm the nerves of those in the stand and must have come as a blessed relief to everyone on the Irish bench. Any hope, however, it might spark a rout proved to be short-lived.
On a night when much more would have been expected of him, Duff did at least sparkle briefly just on the hour when he retrieved a ball that looked set to run tamely out and created a chance his captain should have converted from close range.
And so it continued with Ireland creating a steady stream of half chances against a side of part-timers that worked tirelessly at damage limitation but must have been as surprised as anyone that for once their efforts were being rewarded.
Briefly, though, they seemed set to achieve so much more. Marani's goal was celebrated by only a few hundred supporters inside the ground while it sparked dismay among the Irish.
The Irish quarrelled among themselves over who had been most to blame, and Staunton must have seen his all-too-brief career in management flash before his eyes.
After Finnan was denied by Simoncini, however, the visitors saved themselves from international ridicule when from a long throw and after a couple of failed attempts by others to turn the ball home, Ireland poked the ball into the net.
The midfielder may never score a more important international goal and Ireland may never secure a less impressive win.
SAN MARINO:Aldo Simoncini, Carlo Valentini, Manuel Marani, Albani, Davide Simoncini, Muccioli, Bonini (Vannucci 76), Domeniconi (Bugli 88), Michele Marani, Selva, Gasperoni (Andreini 66). Subs not used: Federico Valentini, Ciacci, Nanni, Vitaioli. Booked: Davide Simoncini, Selva. Goals: Manuel Marani 86.
REP OF IRELAND:Henderson, Finnan, Dunne, O'Shea (McShane 45), Harte (Hunt 74), Duff, Carsley, Ireland, Kilbane, Long (Stokes 80), Keane. Subs not used: Colgan, Alan Quinn, Keogh, Gibson. Goals: Kilbane 49, Ireland 90.
Referee:Peter Rasmussen (Denmark).
