2013 – Ireland 4-0 Georgia – friendly

IRELAND COMPREHENSIVELY BEAT Georgia 4-0 in a home friendly just over a year ago as the Giovanni Trapattoni regime was coming towards its conclusion.

It was all too easy for Ireland once the opposition goalkeeper Giorgi Loria was dismissed after only 20 minutes.

Goals from Richard Keogh, Simon Cox and Robbie Keane (2) followed thereafter, as the hosts ultimately secured a comfortable win.

Ireland: Westwood, McShane, Keogh, Delaney, Wilson (Dunne 65), Keogh (Keane 46), Hoolahan (Quinn 75), McCarthy (Sammon 71), McClean (McGeady 65), Cox, Long (Hendrick 71).

Georgia: Loria, Lobjanidze (David Targamadze 46), Khubutia, Khizanishvili, Kvirkvelia (Giorgi Popkhadze 69), Kashia, Daushvili (Dzaria 54), Kankava, Ananidze (Migineishvili 22), Kobakhidze (Gorgiashvili 90), Gelashvili (Irakali Maisuradze 61).

2009 – Ireland 2-1 Georgia – World Cup qualifier

Giovanni Trapattoni’s side earned a narrow 2-1 victory at the Aviva Stadium in a 2010 World Cup qualifier.

Alexander Iashvili opened the scoring early on and Georgia subsequently looked set for a shock victory before a late Robbie Keane brace rescued the Boys in Green.

It was a highly fortuitous penalty that got Ireland back in the game and amid the Thierry Henry handball playoff controversy that followed, it took then-Ipswich boss Roy Keane to accuse Ireland of hypocrisy following the FAI’s vociferous protests to FIFA about the infamous incident in Paris (see video below).

Ireland: Given, Kelly, O’Shea, Dunne, Kilbane, McGeady, Whelan, Andrews, Duff (S Hunt 80), Doyle, Keane.

Georgia: Lomaia, Lobjanidze, Kaladze, Khizanishvili, Kvirkvelia, Menteshashvili (Khmaladze 70), Razmadze, Kobiashvili, Iashvili, Gotsiridze (Merebashvili 65), Siradze.

2008 – Georgia 1-2 Ireland – World Cup qualifier

In an odd coincidence, including O’Neill, three of the last four Ireland managers (excluding caretakers) have had their first competitive game in charge against Georgia — a fairly incredible stat given that Ireland have only played them six times (including later today) in their history.

Giovanni Trapattoni got the Irish team’s World Cup 2010 campaign off to a winning start with a scrappy 2-1 victory in the neutral venue of Mainz.

On this occasion, a Kevin Doyle header and a Glenn Whelan pot shot put Ireland in control, before Levan Kenia scored a last-minute consolation for the Georgians.

Georgia: Loria, Lobjanidze, Kaladze, Shashiashvili, Kenia, Aleksidze (Siradze 62), Iashvili (Mchedlidze 77), Kobiashvili, Khizanishvili (Asatiani 83), Odikadze, Menteshashvili. 

Ireland: Given, Finnan (McShane 80), O’Shea, Dunne, Kilbane, McGeady, S Reid, Whelan, Hunt, Keane, Doyle (Miller 77). 

2003 - Ireland 2-0 Georgia – Euros qualifier

Ireland met Georgia for the second time ever in a Euro 2004 qualifier at Lansdowne Road during Brian Kerr’s reign as manager.

Goals from Gary Doherty and Robbie Keane ensured a relatively easy win for the hosts.

Ultimately though, the Irish and Georgia would be left similarly disappointed, as both missed out on qualification from the group.

Ireland: Given; Carr, Breen, Cunningham, O’Shea; Carsley, Holland, Healy; Kinsella, Kilbane; Keane, Doherty (Lee).

Georgia: Lomaia; Khizanishvili, Khizaneishvili, Kaladze; Burduli, Didava (Alexsidze, 77), Asatiani, Rekhviashvili, Amisulashvili; Arveladze, Demetradze (Daraselia, 60).

2003 – Georgia 1-2 Ireland – Euros qualifier

Brian Kerr took charge for the first time competitively amid a hostile Lokomotivi Stadium.

Damien Duff’s goal gave Ireland the lead before Levan Kobiashvili levelled proceedings, but Gary Doherty was ultimately his side’s hero on the day, scoring a header late on as the Boys in Green claimed an important three points.

The game was marred by the behaviour of the crowd, however, with objects being thrown towards the pitch during the match, and Kevin Kilbane famously getting hit by a pen knife.

Georgia: Lomaia; Khizaneishvili, Shashiashvili, Amisulashvili; Nemsadze; Tskitishvili, Jamarauli, Kinkladze (Didava 70), Kobiashvili; Ketsbaia (Demetradze h-t), Iashvili.

Ireland: Given; Carr, Breen, Cunningham, O’Shea; Carsley, Holland, Kinsella, Kilbane; Doherty, Duff.

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