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International Friendlies

Nov 15, 2013 at 7.45pm UK

Rep. Ireland Republic of Ireland
3-0
Latvia Latvia

Keane (22'), McGeady (68'), Long (79')

FT(HT: 1-0)

John O'Shea: 'Good to start new era with a win'

By Jack Prescott, Rugby Editor | 16 November 2013

Republic of Ireland defender John O'Shea insists that it was important to give Martin O'Neill a win in his first game in charge against Latvia.

Republic of Ireland defender John O'Shea has claimed that it was necessary to give Martin O'Neill a win in his first game in charge against Latvia.

Robbie Keane, Aiden McGeady and Shane Long all found the net in Dublin as the hosts recorded a comfortable 3-0 victory in the friendly encounter.

O'Neill was in the dugout for the first time with Roy Keane following the pair's appointment as Ireland's new coaching team last week.

"That was what we needed, a clean sheet and a couple of goals," O'Shea told The Herald. "It's Latvia at home and we expected to win comfortably and we did.

"The manager asked us to win the game and keep a clean sheet, but also to enjoy it, to start off with a good press for the first 15 minutes especially.

"The crowd turned out in impressive numbers for us and it was good to give the manager new start."

Ireland return to action on Tuesday when they face Poland in Poznan for another friendly.