Damien Duff revelled in his free role for the home team More match photos

Damien Duff's first-half goal enabled the Republic of Ireland to claim victory in their first game under the charge of manager Brian Kerr at Lansdowne Road.

Man-of-the-match Duff's glorious first half display spurred the Irish to produce an energetic performance.

It was no coincidence that the Irish tempo dropped significantly when Duff departed in the final quarter but Kerr's men held on to claim a deserved victory.

The Irish made their intentions clear early on by setting up several attacks.

David Connolly, making his first Irish start for 17 months, linked up well with Robbie Keane in the second minute but the Spurs striker fired just wide when well placed.

The Irish had a scare three minutes later when goalkeeper Shay Given had to move smartly to clear a slack defensive header by Ian Harte with John Carew set to pounce.

Keane had another Irish chance in the 11th minute but Norwegian goalkeeper Frode Olsen held the shot at the second attempt.

However, the Irish did open their account six minutes later.

Stephen Carr's cross found Duff and, although the Blackburn star's initial effort was blocked by the Norwegian goalkeeper, he hooked the rebound into the net.

Duff was revelling in his free role behind Keane and Connolly.

Matt Holland battles with Andre Belgdolmo

The Blackburn man produced more trickery in the 36th minute to outfox two Norwegian defenders on the right wing.

His cross found Mark Kinsella but the Aston Villa man's volley was superbly blocked by goalkeeper Olsen.

The Norwegians immediately attacked and Siggy Rushfeld stole in ahead of a hesitant Gary Breen but just failed to connect with Carew's dangerous cross.

Kerr, no doubt pleased by Ireland's energetic first half display, made no changes at the break.

In contrast, his Norwegian counterpart Nils Johan Semb made three alterations which included the introduction of out-of-form Sunderland striker Tore Andre Flo.

The Irish produced some lovely one-touch stuff three minutes after the interval with Duff threatening to waltz through the Norwegian defence before losing possession.

At the other end the Norwegians continued to look dangerous and Carew was inches wide with a glancing header after Holland had conceded a needless corner.

Fine Colgan save

But the Irish were creating the better openings and Carr rattled the crossbar from an acute angle after a last ditch tackle had prevented Connolly from extending Ireland's lead.

However, Flo wasted a great chance to level for Norway with a free-header from pointblank range which substitute goalkeeper Nick Colgan grabbed at the second attempt.

Duff's defensive qualities came to Ireland's rescue in the 72nd minute when he got in a vital tackle when Flo threatened to get in a shot.

Seconds later Duff departed the fray to be replaced by Rotherham striker Alan Lee who was earning his first cap.

With Norway upping the pace in the closing 15 minutes, Colgan had to make a fine save to deny a close-range shot from the lively Flo.

However, the Irish comfortably held on to leave Kerr's record as three wins and a draw in his four opening games.

Republic of Ireland: Given, Carr, Breen, Dunne, Harte, Holland, Kilbane, Kinsella, Duff, Connolly, Keane.
Subs: Colgan, Finnan, Carsley, Healy, Quinn, Crowe, McPhail, Lee, Murphy.