Winning start of Irish - 15/05/2002
Don O'Riordan pronounced himself "really pleased" with Ireland's 2-0 victory over Scotland in the Four Nations Tournament in England on Tuesday evening.
Vinny Arkins and Trevor Molloy were Ireland's heroes as the team completely dominated their opponents though, according to O'Riordan there are still problems to be ironed out.
"We were very good, very committed though at times we were a little complacent and needed Seamus Kelly, who was fantastic, to come to the rescue. There are one or two things we'll need to sort out, but, all in all, it was a good way to start the competition.
"It was the players first ever international at this level and it was also my first international as manager so it was a very proud occasion and great that we could get a victory."
The opening goal came early in the first half when Vinny Arkins, a former Under 21 international, latched onto David Crawley's clever long ball to lob the Scottish goalkeeper, but despite Ireland's dominance it wasn't until early in the second half that Trevor Molloy made the game safe for Ireland with a deadly free kick.
"We were practicing all kinds of free kicks in training," O'Riordan said. "But Trevor just decided to hit it himself and you can't argue when they fly in."
The manager will now begin preparations for Thursday's crunch match with England, though he confirmed a "number of the lads have some niggles so I will have to wait and see before naming the team."
Team: Kelly, Tresson, Crawley, Lynch, Delaney, Gorman, Osam, Woods, Molloy, Jason, Vinny Arkins.
