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As it happened: Ireland through

by Tony Cuddihy , 15 November 2011

Live coverage from the Aviva Stadium as Ireland look to seal their place at the European Championships.


2 minutes - Damien Duff shoots high and wide as Ireland go on the offensive from the start.

6 minutes - Keane has two chances inside the opening seven minutes. First, the LA Galaxy striker is thwarted by Estonian goalkeeper Londak, then he misses from close range when Damien Duff's shot from a Stephen Hunt free-kick iss diverted into his path.

20 minutes - It's very quiet. Ireland are dominating without making any clearcut chances. The atmosphere is celebratory, though, and Estonia are offering nothing.

31 minutes - Goal from Stephen Ward! A corner comes over, headed by Doyle towards goal. Londak spills it into the path of Ward, who has an easy finish. Will the floodgates open now?

34 minutes - Voskoboinikov with Estonia's first chance from distance but Given saves easily.

43 minutes - Doyle plays it into Keane but the Irish captain scoops his shot wide.

46 minutes - The teams are back out for the second half...

54 minutes - A subdued start as Estonia replace Lindpere with Middlesbrough's Tarmo Kink. Ireland are playing within themselves, just seeing out time.

58 minutes - Goal for Estonia! Vassiljev unleashes a shot from distance that Shay Given should have dealt with, but didn't. Ireland almost restore their lead but his shot is blocked by an Estonian defender.  

63 minutes - Once again, Ireland's home form is letting them down. Trapattoni's men have another nervy moment in defence but Estonia are asleep.

66 minutes - Vunk cynically takes down Duff and Ireland have a free-kick. Dunne arrives but his header is straight at the Estonian 'keeper Londak. Good chance.

68 minutes - Applause for Robbie Keane, who is replaced by Simon Cox.

For those interested in the other play-offs, Croatia and the Czech Republic have both qualified after beating Turkey and Montenegro respectively. Cristiano Ronalo has put Portugal ahead against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

72 minutes - Doyle's through ball finds Cox but the West Brom striker is at an awkward angle, and the 'keeper saves easily.

84 minutes - Six minutes (plus added time) from Ireland's first European Championships appearance since 1988. In case you'd forgotten.

87 minutes - An unfortunate effort from Saag, way over the bar.

89 minutes - You'd have to make Ireland favourites at this point.

90 minutes - Lovely ball from Keith Fahey but Doyle can't get on to the end of it. 

And it's all over! Ireland have qualified for the European Championships after beating Estonia 5-1 on aggregate. A historic night for Irish football, ten years on from their last qualification for a major tournament.

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