Republic thrash sorry Danes

Steve Staunton's Republic of Ireland players delivered the best possible tribute to their manager, who lost his father last Saturday, with an emphatic 4-0 victory in Aarhus.

Two goals each for Robbie Keane and Shane Long earned easily the best win of Staunton's career as Republic boss and rubbished his side's reputation as bad travellers.

It might have been different had Denmark capitalised on a bright start following a minute's silence for Staunton's father before kick-off. They forced a corner in the opening minute and keeper Wayne Henderson almost let in Jon Dahl Tomasson when he spilled Niclas Jensen's set-piece.

Then former Charlton man Dennis Rommedahl skipped past Steve Finnan and crossed for Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner, who headed against the underside of the bar.

But the Republic snatched the lead out of nowhere when Andy Reid's superb through-ball split the Danish defence and Keane nipped inside Gravgaard before lofting the ball home after 29 minutes.

And the Republic claimed a second goal on 40 minutes when McGeady delivered a superb cross from the right and Keane scored his second with a diving header past Jesper Christiansen.

Denmark came close to reducing the deficit two minutes later when Gronkjaer's fierce volley from the edge of the box was tipped over by Henderson.

Staunton's half-time substitutions proved inspired, with Darren Gibson's rasping effort blocked into the path of another replacement Long, who gleefully bundled the ball home.

That fourth duly arrived in the 66th minute when the excellent McGeady played Long clear and the Reading man coolly fired his second of the game past Christiansen.

Then Dunne was fortunate to head the ball inches past his own post as the home side belatedly began to pile on the pressure. But nothing was going to spoil a glorious performance by the Republic.