Republic of Ireland vs Georgia, match report: Jonathan Walters' winner closes in on play-off place

Republic of Ireland 1 Georgia 0

Jonathan Walters celebrates scoring the Republic’s winner (Getty)

Jonathan Walters ended an eventful few days with a priceless goal to hand the Republic of Ireland a firmer grip on the chance to reach the Euro 2016 finals after a narrow win over Georgia.

Walters, who did not join up with the squad until Wednesday as a possible deadline day move away from Stoke City failed to materialise, stabbed home his seventh and arguably most important goal for his country after Jeff Hendrick’s stunning run and cross 69 minutes into a tie which proved far too tricky for comfort.

The victory at the Aviva Stadium, coupled with Scotland’s 3-2 home defeat by Germany, leaves Martin O’Neill’s men four points clear of their neighbours in the race for third spot in Group D and a crack at the play-offs with two games remaining.

Their task remains difficult with Germany heading for Dublin before Ireland fly to Poland next month, but they have at least given themselves a chance, although midfielders Glenn Whelan and James McClean will sit out the first game through suspension.

Having been handed a lifeline by the Scots’ defeat in Tbilisi and their own routine victory over Gibraltar on Friday evening, Ireland ran out knowing there was much hard work still to be done, but equally aware that their fate remained in their own hands.

O’Neill had made a point of trying to dampen expectation after a bullish optimism emerged in the country over the weekend, and his caution proved well-founded as his side turned in an insipid opening 45 minutes and the Georgians demonstrated an admirable new-found confidence.

It was they who played much of what football was on offer during the opening half –and there was not a great deal – as the home side were largely becalmed.

The visitors’ defence proved more than equal to Ireland’s often direct approach with Wes Hoolahan looking the only man likely to unlock it, although even then, all too infrequently.

O’Neill made a big decision at the break when he withdrew captain Robbie Keane and replaced him with Shane Long. Seamus Coleman twice went close and the Georgia keeper was in the right place to field Whelan’s deflected strike.

Hendrick turned provider in superb style with 21 minutes remaining when he slipped between three red shirts as he danced in from the left wing before crossing for Walters to fire home.

Long might have made it 2-0 after substitute James McClean had run on to Whelan’s pass and drilled the ball across goal, but he completely miskicked to let Georgia off the hook.

McClean forced another excellent save from Nukri Revishvili with a rasping injury-time strike, but the points were secure.