FYR Macedonia 0 Rep of Ireland 2: ‘Extraordinary’ Keane is Republic’s one-legged hero

Keane became the first player from Great Britain and Ireland to score 50 senior international goals when he blasted the Republic into an eighth-minute lead in Skopje and his nerveless 37th-minute strike made sure of three precious Euro 2012 qualifying points.

The 30-year-old’s contribution in his 108th appearance was all the more impressive as he had to have a pain-killing injection in his groin before kick-off, and he was clearly labouring as an energy-sapping contest at the Philip II Stadium drew to a close.

Long, who along with Kevin Doyle, Jonathan Walters and newcomer Simon Cox, is working hard to prove that there will be life after Keane when he eventually hangs up his boots, was full of praise for a man he regards as a role model.

The Reading forward said: “It’s extraordinary when you look at it – and he hasn’t played that many games as well.

“I think it’s one-in-two, and close to that ratio is a great record to have in international football. It will take some beating.

“He’s brilliant. He turns up to every game he can. Every game he’s called upon, he will do his best to be there.

“On Saturday night, he played with half a leg, really, his groin was gone. It shows the desire he has. You don’t score 51 goals for your country without that passion.”

It is a measure of Keane’s commitment to the Ireland cause that he insisted on the eve of Saturday night’s game he would play, despite having limped out of the final training session in Malahide a day earlier.

He was equally adamant that reaching his personal landmark was of secondary importance to securing the victory his side needed to maintain pace with Slovakia and Russia at the top of Group B, but he was delighted to have managed both despite the effect his exertions had on his body.

Asked about his injury, Keane said: “It’s a bit sore now. I had to get an injection before the game, but it’s okay now.

“The last 15 minutes I started to feel it a bit. It’s a little bit sore now, but who cares?

“The other teams won as well, so it was important for us to stay amongst the group, and we did that.

“I thought we were superb. It will probably go down as a great team performance.”

Keane’s double put the visitors in the driving seat, but things might have turned out differently had Ivan Trickovski converted a 40th-minute penalty rather than blasting it against the crossbar.

Even then, goalkeeper Shay Given, who had made a fine first-half save from Macedonia captain Goran Pandev, clawed substitute Mario Durovski’s 68th-minute effort out of the top corner despite himself having had an injection at half-time to counteract his own groin problem.

Keane said: “I know his groin was sore because I saw him kicking with his left foot. The two of us were struggling, but we managed to get through it and it’s all worthwhile when you get the three points.”

The win set Ireland up perfectly for the September double-header against Slovakia and Russia, which could go a long way towards deciding the outcome of the group.

Long said: “We knew before the game that Russia had won 3-1 and we knew this game was very important to keep on their heels.

“We have got Slovakia and Russia in the next two games and they are massive games.

“But at least we are in a great position now and it’s in our hands.”

Republic winger Stephen Hunt, meanwhile, is targeting at least four points from the September showdowns.

The 29-year-old Wolves midfielder played his part in the victory in Macedonia but having missed out on World Cup qualification in a controversial play-off against France 18 months ago, Hunt is not prepared to leave anything to chance.

He said: “We knew the two of them would probably win, so it was important we won.

“Thankfully we did and we move on to the next one. It sets us up for a massive finish. It keeps us in there with Slovakia at home and Russia away.

“We might not have to win the two of them, but if we can get four points it would be massive.”

Reflecting on Saturday’s victory, Hunt said: “The first goal got the crowd on their backs, and then the second one was gifted on a plate to him (Keane), so it was nice.

“He could have got the hat-trick near the end, but we will take two and the win. To be honest, the second half was a bit ugly, but we wanted to make it ugly if we could because what’s the point of opening ourselves up and being caught on the break?

“It was a good ‘Trapattoni’ performance, I suppose.”

On a personal note, Hunt could be forgiven for wishing the season was just starting after returning from injury to help his club preserve their Premier League status, and then pulling on the green shirt once again.

He will hope for more action in tomorrow night’s friendly with Italy – with whom Ireland drew both home and away in their last World Cup qualifying campaign – in Liege, Belgium before heading off to enjoy his summer break.

“I am buzzing. I have had three horrible summers and this summer, I can enjoy it on the back of a good win. We can take it easy and go into Italy and enjoy it.”

Given and Kevin Kilbane have been released from duty and Keane is likely to join them.

FYR Macedonia: Bogatinov, Grncarov, Noveski, Sikov, Popov, Sumulikoski, Demiri (Savic 71), Despotovski (Gjurovski 56), Pandev, Trickovski, Naumoski (Hasani 10). Unused substitutes: Nuredinovski, Mojsov, Todorovski, Ristevski.

Republic of Ireland: Given, Kelly, O’Shea, O’Dea, Kilbane, McGeady, Whelan, Andrews, Hunt, Cox (Long 64), Keane. Unused substitutes: Forde, McShane, Coleman, Fahey, Keogh, Foley.

Referee: F Meyer (Germany).