Stephen Carr got forward for the Irish on numerous occasions

Republic of Ireland 2-0 Georgia

The Republic of Ireland kept their Euro 2004 qualification hopes on course with an impressive victory over a battling Georgian outfit at Lansdowne Road.

Brian Kerr's side produced a much-improved display after struggling to beat Albania on Saturday.

Gary Doherty's 43rd minute header was deserved reward after a fine first-half display and Robbie Keane's second half goal made the game safe.

Switzerland still lead Group 10 after their 3-2 win over Albania on Wednesday but the Irish will qualify if they win their final two matches against Russia and the Swiss.

The Irish made a bright opening without unduly troubling the visitors.

Some Robbie Keane trickery on the left created a chance for John O'Shea in the 11th minute but the Manchester United defender headed tamely wide.

The Irish were looking far sharper than in Saturday's game against Albania.

Kevin Kilbane produced a fine game for the Irish

A teasing Stephen Carr cross after a fine move caused a moment of panic in the Georgian defence in the 15th minute before being cleared.

Kevin Kilbane missed a great chance to open Ireland's account three minutes later when he blazed over after Gary Doherty had nodded the ball down.

However the Georgians began to grow in confidence and the Irish had a lucky escape in the 33rd minute when Malkhaz Asatiani was inches over with a shot from the edge of the area.

But it was the Irish who notched the first goal with Gary Doherty superbly nodding home Kevin Kilbane's free-kick two minutes before half-time.

Doherty's touch had not been particularly impressive prior to the goal but he showed his heading ability with a superb finish which proved too strong for goalkeeper George Lomaia.

Before the break, the Irish had a scare at the other end of the field with Stephen Carr having to react quickly to clear a Shota Arveladze snapshot off the line.

Regrettably Arveladze's every touch was greeted by a chorus of boos by a section of the Irish support because of his Rangers connection.

Alert Given

After half-time, the Georgians were looking increasingly dangerous and Asatiani was inches wide with a drive from the edge of the box in the 56th minute with Shay Given beaten.

However Irish nerves were eased by a Robbie Keane goal two minutes later after he had latched onto Carsley's hopeful flick-on.

There was more than a suspicision that Keane had handled when attempting to control the ball but the Tottenham striker's finish was delightful.

Georgia tried to battle back into the game and Given had to be alert to keep out Arveladze's shot in the 66th minute.

Substitute Vitali Daraselia then tested Given with a fine effort but at the other end, Keane was inches away was notching a third Irish goal with a shot which struck the crossbar.

For the third occasion in the match, Asatiani was inches wide with a firm drive six minutes from time as the Georgians, to their credit, kept battling.

But the Irish held firm to claim a deserved win.