FT: Armenia 0 Republic of Ireland 1

All over and the Republic of Ireland have opened their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with a win, courtesy of Keith Fahey's goal. Hardly a performance that will have Russia quaking in their boots, but as they'll no doubt say...a win is a win.

90+3 No-nonsense stuff from Dunne as he pumps clear. Green gets the ball down and is fouled - to big sighs of relief from the Republic camp!

90+2 Not from this corner - Dunne heads clear.

90+1 Great clearance from Lawrence to concede a corner as Manucharyan sniffs a heading chance in the centre of the area. Late drama?

90 Armenia on the front foot as the clock ticks down.

89 Dunne has to be alert to hack clear with Manucharyan lurking. Given called but the big defender was taking no chances - and rightly so at this time of the game.

89 Manucharyan curls in the free-kick but it's got to be better than that to beat Given, who crouchs to catch then flops onto the floor.

88 Late booking for Whelan as he hauls down Mkhitaryan. He can have no complaints as it was reckless and he knew what he was doing. Decent shooting chance this for Armenia.

87 Good screening from O'Shea as he gives Given time to come out and gather a dinked through-ball from Movsisyan. Green caught in possession there once again though.

86 Manucharyan cuts in on his left and curls in a shot, but it's straight at Given and he gathers at the first attempt.

85 Keogh replaces Keane, who hasn't had the best of nights by his high standards. This is Keogh's fourth game of the season...for three different teams!

84 Manucharyan whips a lovely ball in from the right with his left foot after getting away from Kilbane all too easily. St Leger dives in to head clear well.

83 Corner cleared by Kilbane. Worked back to Pachajyan, who adopts the shoot on sight policy to little effect. They do know it's Shay Given in goal, don't they?

82 Corner to Armenia as Given can't keep a deflected cross from Movsisyan in play. St Leger got the touch.

81 Ball in is beyond the reach of Keane but the Republic pick up the scraps - goes without saying but they're looking a much more confident side on the ball since scoring.

80 Lawrence does well to force a corner. He looks absolutely out on his feet and is helped back to his feet by the assistant referee.

79 Keane goes down in the Armenia area clutching his head, but the free-kick is for the hosts as Keane pulled back his marker before catching a blow on the head.

78 Free-kick from Armenia comes to nothing.

77 Last throw of the dice for Armenia as Manucharyan replaces Malakyan.

76 GOAL - FAHEY! The Republic are in front! And it's Fahey's first international goal! Bit of a scramble as Keane's shot is blocked by bodies and it breaks to Fahey, who finds the net.

74 Arakelyan takes a potshot, which Given saves.

73 Another long-range shot from Armenia sails off target.

72 Hambardzumyan is on for Artak Edigaryan for Armenia.

71 The corner comes to nothing as Pachajyan's shot is blocked clear. Doyle breaks forward and smacks in a shot which Berezovsky deals with, albeit unconvincingly. Still a corner for the visitors, though.

70 Inches away from a Dunne own goal. Good floated ball in from the right and Dunne misjudges the timing of his jump. He heads it back towards is own goal and with Given frantically diving across, it skips off the top of the bar and behind.

69 A change for both sides - Manoyan replaces Artur Edigaryan in the Armenia line-up while Fahey is on for McGeady.

68 The corner drops to Mkrtchyan at the back post but his shot on the turn sails over.

67 Corner to Armenia as St Leger lets a long ball bounce and then has to hurry back to turn it behind.

67 Poor ball from O'Shea this time sails into the hands of Berezovsky but Keane was offside in any case.

66 Republic of Ireland also have a sub lined up.

65 Terrible ball in from Pachajyan sails behind Given's goal.

64 Armenia lining up the first change of the game.

63 Another cracking chance for Keane to break the deadlock goes begging. He's through on the goalkeeper again but can only turn his left-footed shot against the post this time. That's two great opportunities he's squandered tonight.

62 Artak Edigaryan the first man into the book for a late challenge on Lawrence out wide. Ball hoisted into the box but Berezovsky gathers well among bodies.

61 The visitors finally get their passing back together and a crisp spell ends with Lawrence smacking a shot across goal which drifts just wide, but too far ahead of Keane.

60 More good build-up play involving Mkhitaryan but Given plunges away to the right to push the ball away then gather at the second attempt.

59 Malakyan runs at O'Shea but the Manchester United man gets a foot in. Danger only half-cleared, though, and the ball's worked back to Malakyan, but his long-range shot is a poor one. Armenia have adopted something approaching a shoot on sight policy here which is odd with a goalkeeper as good as Given.

58 Armenia just on top at the moment - the Republic will be hoping it's a spot of 'rope a dope' to lure them in and hit on the counter.

57 Dunne heads the corner clear of danger - and then gets to the second ball in ahead of Movsisyan. The ball's worked back into the box, though, and the Republic are caught napping but just about manage to get it clear as a snapshot is fired in from six yards out. A real warning that.

56 Armenia have to settle for a corner as Whelan turns the ball behind. Pachajyan a real danger on the counter-attack.

55 Lawrence whips a free-kick into the Armenia box but it's poor delivery and the home side clear and break quickly.

54 Artur Edigaryan bangs in a shot from distance but it's never troubling Given and sails behind.

53 McGeady smacks an angled ball out to Lawrence on the other side, but he tries to slide it across first time when he really should take it down and it drifts out for a goal-kick.

52 Arakelian back into the fray. He's not moving freely just yet but should be able to run this one off I'd have thought.

51 Arakelian just needs a spot of treatment after Doyle accidentally trod on the back of his Achilles as they came down after an aerial challenge. He should be fine to continue.

50 Armenia break and that man Pachajyan tries to slide in Mkhitaryan but the ball drifts through to Given.

49 Kilbane goes down under pressure from Pachajyan out wide but it's a soft fall and the referee is unimpressed. Kilbane berates him - but he'd lost control of the ball in any case.

48 Free-kick converted into a corner by the Republic. Ball whipped in by Lawrence and the 'keeper flaps horribly. Armenia again manage to smuggle it clear but this has been a bright start from the visitors.

47 McGeady and Malakyan tangle as the Republic look to get forward down the left. McGeady gets the verdict, but it could easily have gone the other way.

46 McGeady gets a good early ball in from the left which drifts across to Lawrence. He touches it back to Doyle, but he can't get away from his marker and Armenia smuggle it clear.

45 Back under way.

Players back on the field. A serious-looking Robbie Keane in deep conversation with a laughing assistant referee as they emerged from the tunnel.

The draw's shortened up with Sky Bet over the first 45 minutes. That's a 5/4 shot now, with Armenia drifting to 5s and the Republic now Evens for the win.

45 Half-time whistle blows. The Republic have looked good in patches but so have Armenia. Width looks to be the key to winning this one against a resolute home side - McGeady and Lawrence need to get into the game more.

45 Whelan smacks in a shot from distance which is always curling the wrong way to find the corner.

44 Great header from St Leger to clear as Pachajyan whips a lovely floated ball in from the right.

43 Good tackle from O'Shea stops Mkhitaryan's progress.

42 Good build-up play from the Republic this time before Doyle clips the ball in from the left, but Artak Edigaryan clears well over his shoulder.

41 Mkhitaryan smacks in another shot from distance which has Given flinging himself to his left, but it sails over the bar.

40 Whelan tries a fancy flick but only manages to knock it against his own standing leg and Armenia carry it clear.

39 Keane latches onto an O'Shea long throw and skips past Arzumanyan superbly. He's through on the keeper but hits the deck. Nothing doing from the referee and Keane isn't too vociferous in his appeals. Seen them given as the defender left his leg out but on balance he went down a little too easily.

38 Snapshot from Mkhitaryan well gathered by Given on his right-hand side.

37 Giovanni Trappatoni has obviously spotted what I have - he's gesticulating plenty from his technical area.

36 The Republic just look a little flat here - it's stifling hot and I'm wondering if the conditions are getting to them.

35 Robust challenge from Whelan centrally but it's well timed despite the Armenian appeals.

34 Ball in the Armenia net...but it won't stand. Quickly-taken free-kick from Whelan through to Keane, who smacks the ball home. The whistle's gone, though, with Keane adjudged offside.

33 The Republic are just struggling to find that final ball at the moment. Lawrence and McGeady are seeing plenty of the ball and looking pretty lively but can't get it in to Doyle and Keane.

32 Corner comes to nothing but Armenia definitely growing in influence as this game goes further. They looked game but limited earlier but are now looking much more influential.

31 Corner to Armenia as Kilbane has to turn it behind with Pachajyan looking lively. The home side are growing in confidence.

30 McGeady dangles a leg out to gift a free-kick to Armenia down the right. Ball crossed in to Movsisyan, who meets it on the volley but his effort sails over the crossbar. Poor finish.

29 Decent stuff from Armenia as they knock the ball around in midfield but they never look too far from a misplaced pass.

28 Great run from McGeady ends with him cutting inside onto his right into the Armenia area and drilling a shot in but it drifts past the near post. Should have gone across goal as Doyle was waiting to feed on any scraps.

27 Whelan curls in the free-kick but it's a tame effort that is easily gathered by Berezovsky.

26 Last warning for Arzumanyan from the referee as he catches McGeady with a late tackle. Could easily have been a yellow, that, but as long as we see consistency from the referee...

25 Doyle gets a flick to the latest Given long ball but there's a breakdown in communication between him and Keane, with the header going to Doyle's right and Keane going to his left.

24 Free-kick comes to nothing and again Armenia look to spring on the counter-attack. Mkhitaryan gets to around 25 yards out before sliding it out towards Artur Edigaryan but St Leger has tracked back superbly to turn it back to Given, who clears downfield.

23 Kilbane hits the deck as the ball is about to be whipped in - but there's nothing doing - and when it arrives St Leger gets a powerful header in from close range which Berezovsky pushes away well. The Republic do get a free-kick, though.

22 Lawrence's free-kick looks too deep but St Leger is in around the back and Berezovsky has to palm it behind for a corner.

21 Whelan wins the ball back for the Republic centrally - though it was a clear foul - and Lawrence is then tripped. Free-kick to the visitors and another chance to get a quality delivery in.

20 O'Shea lofts a free-kick from deep into the Armenia penalty area. Kilbane gets the knockdown but is adjudged to have fouled his marker. Looked a soft one, though he has doesn't dispute the decision as he trots back to his position.

19 Dunne does well to sweep up in behind as Armenia look to break down the left once again. Given completes the clearance.

18 Lawrence whips a corner into O'Shea beyond the back post but his header back across the area is easily cleared.

17 Decent stuff from Armenia as they break on the counterattack - their likeliest source of a goal. They work it out to Pachajyan on the right and his grubber shot is well gathered by Given plunging away to his right.

16 Lawrence floats the ball into the box but Artak Edigaryan climbs highest as the ball sails over St Leger's head and the danger passes.

15 Free-kick to the Republic as Arakelian tumbles Lawrence. Decent chance to get the ball in the box here, though Dunne is surprisingly not going forward.

14 Mkrtchyan smacks in a shot which deflects off Lawrence but Given is alert to it and takes a couple of steps to his left to gather comfortably.

13 Doyle and Lawrence combine well to try and get the ball in for Keane, but the header from Lawrence is a little heavy and bounces through to a grateful Berezovsky.

12 Error from Green as he gifts the ball to Pachajyan in midfield but he redeems himself by tracking back and taking the sting out of the shot that follows, with Given doing well to keep the ball in play.

11 McGeady draws a foul from Mkhitaryan but the free-kick comes to nothing.

10 O'Shea hoists the ball into the Armenia area from the right and Keane goes down under pressure from his marker. He's up quickly and appealing for a penalty but it'd be a soft one and the referee is suitably unimpressed.

9 On the evidence of the early stages, Republic can expect plenty of the ball here but they're up against a pretty resolute outfit.

8 Dunne arrows an angled diagonal ball out to McGeady but he can't spin past the veteran Hovsepyan, who nicks the ball away and clears downfield.

7 Should be 1-0 to the Republic. No question about it. Given smacks a long ball right onto the head of Doyle, who flicks the ball superbly into Keane's path. He takes it first time on the volley but rather shanks his shot with the outside of his foot and it spins wide of the post. Great chance.

6 Dunne thumps the ball downfield hoping to find Doyle but it's not the best and sails out for a throw. Doyle not particularly pleased with that service I think it's fair to say.

5 Lawrence goes down after a robust challenge from Artak Edigaryan. Looked a free-kick at first glance but the referee is happy for play to continue with the Republic on the ball. Attack peters out and Lawrence is back to his feet.

4 Good work from O'Shea and Keane down the right as they link up well then the latter makes a bursting run into the Armenia area but Arakelian gets back well to clear.

3 Armenia spring down the left with Malakyan in behind O'Shea but the attack peters out as the visitors get men back in numbers and snuff it out. Early warning for the Republic there, though - they'll have to be on their guard.

2 Lawrence whips the ball into the Armenia penalty area but Arakelian bravely heads clear under pressure from Dunne. He's taken a blow on the head there, so the referee stops play.

2 Throw to the Republic in the Armenia half, which Lawrence manages to convert into the first corner of the game.

1 First free-kick of the game goes to the Republic deep in their own half. Teams just settling into their gameplans.

0 Armenia get us under way.

Darren White isn't expecting fireworks. He writes: "Watch out for a drab 2-0 win for Ireland. With Trappatoni's defensive-minded attitude I can see a 1-0 win in each half. Mind you I'll take that!"

Our referee is Zsolt Szabo (Hungary).

Rep of Ireland: Given, O'Shea, St. Ledger, Dunne, Kilbane, Lawrence, Whelan, Green, McGeady, Keane, Doyle. Subs: Westwood, Fahey, Kelly, Gibson, Cunningham, Keogh, Sheridan.

Here's the official team lists. Armenia: Berezovsky, Hovsepyan, Arzumanyan, Karlen Mkrtchyan, Arakelian, Artak Edigaryan, Artur Edigaryan, Malakyan, Pachajyan, Movsisyan, Mkhitaryan. Subs: Kasparov, Hambardzumyan, Pizelli, Goharyan, Manoyan, Manucharyan, Mkoyan.

Mike from the Republic of Ireland (living in Chippenham) writes: "Really hope the boys in green get off to a flyer here and start as we mean to go on, we are in a group that we have every chance of winning and need to make a statement of intent with a 3 or 4 nil. Wish I could watch it but will be there in spirit, come on boys give them a lash."

Still awaiting the official team lists, but I can tell you Robbie Keane and Richard Dunne are able to start after recovering from injury. Nine of the men that start THAT game against France start here, with Derby midfielder Paul Green and Aiden McGeady drafted in for the injured Keith Andrews and Damien Duff. Armenia boss Vardan Minasyan includes star man Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who made a 5.8million pound transfer-window move to Shakhtar Donetsk last week, in his side.

Fancy a bet on the game? Republic of Ireland are warm 4/6 favourites with Sky Bet, who go 9/4 the draw with the home side out at 4/1. Robbie Keane is 4/1 for the first goal.

Welcome to our coverage of the first of tonight's Euro 2012 qualifiers - Armenia v Republic of Ireland. We'll have the teams shortly but in the meantime feel free to email me on reece.killworth@bskyb.com