Manager's reaction: Delighted with the points, far from ecstatic about the performance. Privately Steve Staunton will rejoice in a victory that lifts a great deal of pressure from his shoulders. But publicly he is demanding much more ahead of Wednesday's showdown with Slovakia.

"Yes, delighted to have the three points but we know it wasn't great in the second half," he said. "I thought we were comfortable at the back. I felt the back four marshaled Craig Bellamy and Ryan Giggs particularly well. They never had a chance really.

"But I wasn't happy with our retention of the ball. We were in great positions but we gave it away too cheaply. Wales kept it better than us in the second half. But I'm pleased that we kept a clean sheet."

"We made them look bad," he added. "We got in their faces and stopped them from playing, we knew we had to. Second half we weren't so good at that. We gave the ball away too much and lost our shape, but thankfully we didn't lose it at the back."

Stephen Ireland's superbly taken goal late in the first half proved the decisive score but the Manchester City midfielder is now a significant doubt for Wednesday's game after suffering a thigh injury to compound the ankle strain he carried all week.

It was his creative spark that ignited a home side that proved particularly sluggish in the opening exchanges. But that inventiveness took time to filter through as Staunton initially deployed the 20-year-old wide right from the outset.

So why was the Cork man selected in that role, and what was it about the team's early approach that forced the manager to change the dynamics by affording Ireland licence to roam infield

"We knew what system Wales would play and I thought Stevie could get in that hole without having to contend with the donkey work in the middle of the park," explained the manager.

"Unfortunately Stevie played it a little too narrowly for us so I changed him and Damien (Duff). Stevie, being the clever player he is, slotted in nicely.

"He's an excellent player who is getting better. His composure and vision for a young man are excellent. Hopefully he will be fit for Wednesday. He's a major asset. Anyone who scores three goals in four internationals is."

Whatever about Ireland's availability, the manager is definitely without his captain Robbie Keane. The Tottenham striker enjoyed one of his better days in a green jersey but his second half booking sees him suspended for next week.

"The referee has apologised to him (Keane)," was all Staunton afforded when quizzed about the dubious booking.

Keane, who also shipped a knock late in the game that could well have sidelined him anyway, linked well with Kevin Doyle when the Reading striker was introduced for Ireland early in the second half.

Indeed, the onus to lead the line could fall to the Wexford man on Wednesday but he has played little or no games for his club since tearing his hamstring in January. Hence his role from the bench here. But is he fit to play 90 minutes next week?
 
"Kevin's been out a long, long time," said Staunton. "It's all right running around a training field but when it comes to games, match fitness is a totally different thing. In the half hour that he had you could see that, but it was nice that he got the time he did.

"Like all the players, we'll assess him and see tomorrow and in the coming days. Young Shane Long was very unlucky not to be involved today, so we'll see."

Slovakia. A side that beat Wales 5-1 in Cardiff. How do you approach this one Stan?

"Well, we know what we're up against, a big strong, athletic side. So we'll have to match that but also try play our own football. If we can improve like the rugby lads did for their second game we'll be OK. We know what we have to do on Wednesday and that's win again."