Brennan to the rescue

Two games, two wins. Now only Wales, who Ireland play at Tolka Park tomorrow evening, stand between the Republic and another appearance in a major UEFA championship finals.

Last night's opponents arrived in Dublin with good reason to feel confident about making it to Israel next summer, but their hopes suffered a significant blow at the hands of the hosts when Stephen Brennan scored the only goal seconds after arriving onto the pitch as a substitute.

During the summer, the Swiss had won the prestigious European Youth Olympic tournament in Denmark, but there, too, they had lost 1-0 to the Republic. They might repeat the trick of recovering to finish above Brian Kerr's team in the table this week, but it would take a win over Sweden in Oriel Park tomorrow and defeat for the Irish at Tolka.

In contrast to Monday's win across the city in Drumcondra, when they took a while to really get going, the Irish started well last night only to find themselves gradually dragged into a dogfight.

Early on the home side had no shortage of chances to take the lead: Keith Graydon went closest midway through the opening period when he forced a fine stop from Diego Benaglio.

Most disappointing during that first half, though, was Graydon's 32nd-minute penalty effort, awarded for a foul on Capper, which was easily saved.

When the goalkeeper did well again on the stroke of half time to push Daryl McMahon's 20-yard free around the post, it was beginning to look a little worrying.

It got worse after the break as the Swiss began to look by far the more likely to find the net first. Stephen Kelly kept his side on level terms in the 50th minute with a goal-line clearance, and not long afterwards Wayne Henderson was beaten again: this time the angle of the post prevented Fabian Geiser's header from finding the back of the net.

Manuel Buhler went very close too, as his shot from inside the six-yard box flew narrowly over following fine work by Geiser down the right.

But just as it was looking certain that the Irish would fall behind, Brennan took the field, got onto the end of a Jonathan Daly flick and promptly drove past Benaglio from 15 yards out on the right.

Graydon's late sending off was the one blackspot for Kerr ahead of that last game against the Welsh.

In yesterday afternoon's other game, Kristian Dimond gave Wales a scarcely deserved win over Sweden at Belfield. Sweden were much the better side in the first half, but Wales' increased efforts in the second half were rewarded when Dimond made the most of a goalkeeping error from a corner, slotting home from just yards out.

This win ensures they go into the match with Ireland still in contention to qualify.

Republic of Ireland: Henderson (Aston Villa); Rossiter (Sunderland), Kelly (Belvedere Boys), McCarthy (Manchester City), Gartland (Home Farm); Foley (Liverpool), Capper (Sunderland), McMahon (West Ham); Murphy (Celtic), Graydon (Sunderland), Daly (Stockport County). Subs: Brennan (Newcastle Utd) for McMahon (67 mins), Kendrick (Newcastle Utd) for Murphy (80 mins).

Switzerland: Benaglio; Reinmann, Schmutz, Mieville, Pauchard; Geiser, Rochat, Fenini, Buhler; Regazzoni, Weber. Subs: Kehrli for Schmutz (12 mins), Camenzind for Mieville (77 mins).

Referee: E Zammit (Malta).