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Follow the Republic of Ireland's progress on the path to Euro 2004. After a roller coaster World Cup can the Irish team pick up where they left off?
**January 2003** Brian Kerr is the new manager of Ireland. After an outstanding time as manager of the Irish Youth teams lets hope he can do the same for the senior team.
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2002
September 7: Russia 4 v 2 Ireland. (20' Kariaka
24' Beschastnykh 71' Kerzhakov 88' Babb OG - 69' Doherty
76' Morrison) Venue: Lokomotiv Stadium, Moscow.
A really bad start for Ireland in the first game of our group. The midfield was just not strong enough and the defence was very poor. At least Robbie Keane put in a solid performance but it's all or nothing for our next match against Switzerland.
October 16: Ireland 1 v 2 Switzerland. (78' Magnin OG - 45'
Hakan Yakin 87' Celestini) Venue : Dublin.
Ireland's proud home record under Mick McCarthy is gone and the manager might follow soon. Despite creating enough chances Ireland never looked like they got out of second gear. The only hope now is to win all our remaining games with our best players playing.
2003
March 29: Georgia 1 v 2 Ireland. (18' Duff 84' Doherty - 62' Kobiashvili) Venue : Tbilisi
A great start for Brian Kerr as Ireland come through a very hard game. With knives and bottles flying at the Irish players the lads came through to take a vital 3 points. Duff has a great game.
April 02: Albania 0 v 0 Ireland. Venue : Tirana
Albania were the bottom seeds for this group but on this showing they should be moving up the ranks soon. Ireland did well to take a point with Shay Given in outstanding form. The Irish players looked a bit tired although they could have nicked the game at the last.
June 07: Ireland 2 v 1 Albania. (6' Keane 92' Aliaj OG - 8' Skela) Venue : Dublin
God bless Ardian Aliaj, just when it looked like Ireland were going to drop two vital points Aliaj scored an OG that could have a huge impact on group 10. Ireland got off to a great start with Robbie Keane scoring but it was down hill from there. Albania again played really well. Missing Duff for the next match is very bad news.
June 12: Ireland 2 v 0 Georgia. ('43 Doherty 59'Keane) Venue : Dublin
Much better performance by Ireland. Keane again found the net while Gary Doherty is now Ireland's top scorer with 3 goals! Healy did a great job a well although Ireland need Duff back. The Boys in Green have turned things around and it's all set for a nail bitting match against Russia.
September 06: Ireland 1 v 1 Russia. ('35 Duff - 42'Ignashevitch) Venue : Dublin
A poor match for Ireland with only Duff playing well. We missed Robbie Keane up front. Russia were well worth the draw. It's all down to the last match in Switzerland.
October 11: Switzerland 2 v 0 Ireland ('6 Hakin Yakin '60 Frei) Venue : Basel
The Euro 2004 dream died in Basel tonight after a poor performance by the Irish team. An early goal killed us off. The Swiss did not have to work that hard in the end to win the group. All we can hope is that Ireland don't drop too far down the seedings for Germany 2006 World Cup.
Switzerland 15
Russia 14
Republic of Ireland 11
Albania 8
Georgia 7
Scorers :
Doherty 3
Duff 2
Keane 2
Morrison 1
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Record Irish Internaitional Caps Holder :
Steve Staunton 102 caps
Record Irish International Goalscorers :
Nial Quinn 21 goals
Eircom League Premier Division 2002-2003
Final Standings Top Four
Bohemians 54
Shelbourne 49
Shamrock Rovers 43
Cork 39
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