Finland 0 Rep of Ireland 3
The Republic of Ireland warmed up for next month's European Championship qualifier against Russia with a fine victory over Finland in Helsinki tonight.
Robbie Keane opened the scoring after 12 minutes and spent the rest of his evening tormenting the home defence.
Celtic's Colin Healy capped a fine late cameo by striking home the second goal before setting up Arsenal's Graham Barrett for a third, just seven minutes after the youngster's introduction for his debut.
Thomas Butler's surprise inclusion in midfield came at the expense of Matt Holland, who is expected in Birmingham tomorrow to complete a £4.5 million move from Ipswich to Aston Villa.
Finland's Jari Litmanen is struggling to get a game for Liverpool but it did not take him long to prove his worth in tonight's international.
One superb chipped pass into Ireland's box released Teemu Tainio whose curling shot gave Charlton keeper Dean Kiely his hardest save of the opening half.
Kiely saw more action than opposite number Jussi Jaaskelainen, but most of it was routine stuff, a firm Mika Nurmela header easily collected on his own line.
Jason McAteer, who captained Ireland in recognition of his 50th cap, hustled and bustled in his usual manner, but Butler impressed more on the left flank.
Butler, drafted in from the under-21 squad in midweek, cut in from the left and curled one effort just wide, before smashing a second chance well over after taking an unnecessary first touch.
Keane might have had a second when a wayward Petri Pasanen pass fell invitingly in his path but he failed to finish from an acute angle.
McCarthy switched almost half the team at the interval, Duff and Butler among the five men withdrawn.
Finland dominated possession soon after the break but Ireland - Keane in particular - continued to carve out the goal chances.
Colin Healy showed good awareness to find the striker with an astute pull-back but Jaaskelainen saved low to his right.
Litmanen was still a source of danger at the other end and after creating space for himself on the edge of the area, curled another shot just wide with Kiely beaten.
Ireland then broke down field and killed off the contest when Healy cracked home Rory Delap's nod down.
In the dying minutes, Healy latched onto a Kevin Kilbane pass and bustled his way into the Finnish box. He was dispossessed but the ball broke to Arsenal youngster Graham Barrett who rammed home a fine debut goal.
PA