Keane secures winning send-off

Early fortune
The hosts went ahead after just seven minutes when Reid's powerful free-kick from 15 metres cannoned off the head of Davide Simoncini and past the helpless Federico Valentini in the San Marino goal. A second almost followed soon afterwards as the lively Kevin Kilbane tricked his way past Carlo Valentini and crossed from the left only for Keane to flick wide from five metres.

Doyle header
Kilbane was becoming a thorn in full-back Valentini's side and it was the Wigan Athletic FC winger who provided the cross for Ireland's second goal on 24 minutes, which Doyle headed in off the bar to open his international scoring account. Kilbane almost netted himself when he nodded Steve Finnan's centre wide of the far post but he made amends by supplying Keane to make it 3-0 with just half an hour played.

Keane treble
The second half lacked the intensity of the first but the home team stretched their advantage on 58 minutes when Keane converted a penalty after defender Paul McShane had been brought down by Simone Bacciocchi. McShane should have scored himself 12 minutes later when he steered Aiden McGeady's cross over the bar when unmarked in the area. With five minutes remaining, however, Keane completed his first hat-trick for Ireland by heading in Reid's left-wing delivery fom close range.