The second round of the 2011 Carling Nations Cup was played on Tuesday and Wednesday night his week with both matches providing one-sided results.
Dublin's Aviva Stadium again played host to the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales as the top-two ranked teams (Rep. Ireland and Scotland) flexed their muscles with comfortable wins.
In the first match, Giovanni Trapattaoni's RoI did the damage with a 5-0 hammering of Noel Worthington's Northern outfit. Wolves striker Stephen Ward poked home in the 24th minute after a goalkeeping error from Alan Blayney before skipper Robbie Keane was the recipient of a poor backpass from youngster Lee Hodson allowed the Tottenham man to chip over Blayney for their second in the 37th minute.
The third goal came on the stroke of half-time when Craig Cathcart diverted into his own net before Adam Thompson was harshly sent off for a challenge in the area less than ten minutes into the second half with Keane converting the ensuing penalty to notch up his 48th international goal.
The contest was then wrapped up in the 80th minute when West Bromwich Albion's Simon Cox curled in the fifth to end a dismal night for Northern Ireland.
Last night, Scotland were too good for an inexperienced Wales outfit, winning 3-1 with all goals coming in the second half after they fell behind earlier.
Captain Robert Earnshaw gave Gary Speed's Dragons a lift when in the 36th minute he pounced on a poor header from Stephen Crainey and then slotted calmly past Allan McGregor for his 15th goal at international level.
But the lead lasted less than 20 minutes as James Morrison received a perfect through-ball from Charlie Adam before firing past Boaz Myhill and then skipper Kenny Miller made it 2-1 in the 63rd minute when Morrison turned provider with a neat cut-back.
The victory was complete about six minutes later when Christophe Berra headed home Steven Whittaker's cross but Earnshaw had the chance to pull one back for Wales, who had only two Premier League players in tow, although the opportunity was missed.
Republic of Ireland moved to the top of the table with two wins from two, shading Scotland on goal difference as they prepare for a clash of the titans on Sunday whilst Wales and Northern Ireland meet tomorrow night.
