Record-Setting Robbie Keane Scores Hat-Trick For The Win

UEFA World Cup Qualifier: Republic of Ireland 3 Faroe Islands 0

Skipper Robbie Keane marked his record-breaking 126th appearances for the Republic of Ireland by scoring a hat-trick in the win over the Faroe Islands at Aviva Stadium.

The goals bring his international tally up to 59 and keep Ireland firmly in the battle for second place in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group C on a night when Austria beat Sweden 2-1in Vienna

Ireland got off to a bright start and Aidan McGeady had an early chance following a short corner with Simon Cox but he dragged his shot wide after creating a good opening.

The home side took the lead after five minutes when Wes Hoolahan took possession in the middle and fed the ball out to Aiden McGeady on the left. His low cross was met first time by Keane and he steered a first time left-footed shot past Gunnar Nielsen for his 57th international goal.

Walters then had a half-chance to add second but Faroe's defender Jonhard Frederiksberg got across in time to make a great block.

Keane should have had a second on 26 minutes when a free kick off the training ground left the Irish skipper with only the keeper to beat but he couldn't squeeze the ball past Nielsen who then went to make three great saves from Walters, Keane and McGeady to keep the visitors in the game.

McGeady, who ran the Faroe's ragged all night, then had a great run from inside his own half which ended with a cross that was taken off Keane's head by Baldvinson's timely interception.

That left it 1-0 at half-time and Ireland almost got the second half off to a great start when McGeady beat two men and crossed for a stretching Hoolahan who couldn't keep his header below the bar.

But the Norwich midfielder made amends in the 55th minute when he sliced the Faroes' defence with a brilliant pass to find the overlapping Seamus Coleman inside the box. Although his low first time cross evaded Walters it didn't miss Keane and the skipper turned it home for his second of the night.

McGeady then met a Simon Cox free kick from the right but his first time effort was straight at the keeper but Keane finally got the hat-trick the night was calling out for in the 81st minute when substitute James McClean fired in a low cross from the right corner which was controlled by another substitute Conor Sammon and he turned quickly to slip the ball inside for Keane to beat Nielsen from close range.

In the other game in Group C, Austria beat Sweden 2-1 with goals from David Alaba (penalty) and Marc Janko. Johan Elmander got the Swedish goal.

The result leaves Austria on 11 points in second place on goal difference from Ireland with Sweden on eight points with a game in hand.

Ireland only picked up one yellow card, that a booking for Wes Hoolahan after 73 minutes for a tug on Christian Holst in the centre circle.

Ireland now head to New York to meet World and European champions Spain at on Wednesday evening.