Fahey leads Ireland to victory in Armenia

(GSM) – Ireland Republic have started their 2012 European Championships campaign with a narrow 0-1 win at Armenia.

In their first competitive match after their controversial World Cup play-off defeat against France, Ireland struggled to take distance from a tough Armenian side.

But with 76 minutes played in Armenia’s capital city Yerevan, Keith Fahey broke the deadlock after preparing work from Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle.

It was Fahey’s first goal for the Irish national team.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s men share Group B’s second place with Slovakia, who beat Macedonia FYR 1-0. Russia top the group following a 0-2 win in Andorra.