BARNSLEY goalkeeper Nick Colgan was an unused substitute as the Republic of Ireland were beaten by Italy at Lansdowne Road. Irish boss Brian Kerr kept faith with Newcastle's Shay Given throughout the match, which the Italians won 2-1 in front of a capacity crowd of 44,000. Pirlo and Gilardino put Italy two up in the first half hour before Andy Reid pulled one back for the Irish. Rep of Ireland: Given, Finnan (Carr 57), Cunningham, Dunne (O'Brien 45), O'Shea (Miller 78), Holland (Harte 39), Kilbane, Steven Reid, Andy Reid (Elliott 74), Duff, Morrison. Subs: Breen, Kenny, Doherty, Quinn, Colgan.
