Ireland picks up 3-0 victory over Cyprus

DUBLIN, Ireland (AP) -- Clinton Morrison, Andy Reid and Robbie Keane gave Ireland a 3-0 victory Saturday over Cyprus, a perfect start for the Irish in their first 2006 World Cup qualifying match.

Morrison put Ireland ahead 1-0 in the 33rd minute, a well-earned strike that came after the home team had complete control from the opening whistle at Lansdowne Road.

The Birmingham City striker, who missed two early chances, connected on a glancing header off a cross from Damien Duff. Duff took the ball immediately from a corner and found Morrison inside the box.

Five minutes later, Andy Reid made it 2-0 on a spectacular shot. Reid took the ball off a pass from the right wing, turned and fired home a curling left-footed strike from 25 meters (yards) that beat Cypriot goalkeeper Nicos Panagiotou diving to his right.

Robbie Keane topped off the scoring in the 55th on a penalty after Duff was tripped in the area. The goal tied Niall Quinn as the all-time leading scorer for Ireland with 21.

Ireland had control of the match from the start, with the Cypriots seldom able to put together more than a pass or two. Morrison, Duff and Kevin Kilbane all threatened to score more goals late in the match.

Ireland is among the favorites to challenge France for a spot from Group 4. The Irish reached the final 16 in the 2002 World Cup but failed to qualify for Euro 2004. The other contenders in Group 4 are expected to be Israel and Switzerland.

Ireland plays Wednesday at Switzerland. Lineups:

Ireland: Shay Given; Stephen Carr, Andy O'Brien, Kenny Cunningham, John O'Shea, Andy Reid, Graham Cavanaugh, Kevin Kilbane, Damien Duff, Clinton Morrison, Robbie Keane.

Cyprus: Nicos Panagiotou; Georghios Theodotou, Kakoyiannis, Stelios Okkarides, Lambros Lambrou, Elias Charalambous, Constantinos Charalambides, Marinos Satsias, Makrides, Yiannakis Okkas, Michalis Constantinou.

Referee: Levan Paniashvili (Georgia).

(scw)