Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live text commentary of Republic of Ireland's clash with Georgia at the Aviva Staidum! Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni released his starting line-up yesterday, but here is the team news in full.

TEAM NEWS: Republic of Ireland: K Westwood; M Wilson, P McShane, R Keogh, D Delaney; A Keogh, J McCarthy, W Hoolahan, J McClean; S Cox, S Long

We will bring you the team news from Georgia when it's released, but for those of you who know very little about European nation, then fret not, as Sports Mole has been doing some digging.

Despite being ranked as the world's 96th best team by FIFA, Georgia lie third in Group I in qualification for the 2014 World Cup - behind only France and reigning champions Spain.

In fact, Spain only beat Georgia 1-0 in their group match last September courtesy of an 86th minute goal by Roberto Soldado. A month later, they drew 1-1 away to Finland, so Ireland with have to play well to get a result.

Former Newcastle striker Temuri Ketsbaia has managed the national side since 2009, and made a total of 49 international appearances in his playing days, scoring 16 goals.

Back to Ireland, and this match will be seen by Trapattoni as a warm up ahead of their Group C match against Faroe Islands on Friday. Ireland are currently fourth in their group, but level with second-placed Austria and third-placed Sweden. All three teams have eight points, but Ireland will hope to gain three points and boost their goal difference in Friday's match.

TEAM NEWS: Georgia: Loria; Lobjanidze, Khubutia, Khizanishvili, Kvirkvelia; Kashia, Daushvili, Kankava, Ananidze; Kobakhidze, Gelashvili

A familiar name among the Georgian team, with former Blackburn defender Rangers and Blackburn Rovers defender Zurab Khizanishvili lining up for the away side. You may also recognise the 31-year-old from his spells with Newcastle United and Reading, for whom he played on loan.

Among the Republic of Ireland substitutes is Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne, who hasn't played all season due to a recurring knee injury, but the 33-year-old is expected to play some part in today's game.

Dunne has recently said that he will not retire from the game, despite the fact that Aston Villa have stated that they will not renew his contract, which expires this summer.

Shane Long will captain the side tonight for the first time. The West Bromwich Albion striker has an impressive 11 goals in all competitions this season in 34 appearances.

Long is currently in the tunnel at the Aviva Stadium, ready to lead his national side out for the first time. A proud moment for the 26-year-old, no doubt.

There is a slight delay, however, as Georgia goalkeeper Girgi Loria has been sent back to the dressing room to change his shorts, as they clash with the black shorts worn by the home side! Ireland are wearing their brand new away kit for this evening's game.

After that slight delay, the teams are now walking out into an incredibly empty Aviva Stadium. It seems as though Georgia aren't glamorous enough opponents for the Irish fans.

There is no doubt that the Aviva Stadium is a fantastic arena, but there are significantly more empty seats than occupied ones here in Dublin.

Regardless, the national anthems have been sung by the few fans in the stadium and we are almost ready for kick off!

Before the match starts, there is a minute's applause for former Ireland player Tony Grealish, who sadly passed away this week.

PREDICTION! As the teams kick off here, Sports Mole is backing Ireland to comfortably win 3-0 this evening. Let's hope I don't have to eat my words!

KICK OFF: Ireland have started brightly, with Andy Keogh's cross-cum-shot- deflecting into the hands of Loria.

However, a lack of communication between Kieran Westwood and Damien Delaney allows Nikoloz Gelashvili to nip onto the end of a long ball. The striker does well to take to ball around Westwood, but is forced wide as a result, and his effort from near the corner flag flies harmlessly across goal.

Normal service is resumed though, with Ireland seeing the lion's share of possession, albeit among the defence.

Marc Wilson steps out of defence with the ball and looks for Simon Cox, who made a good run into the channel, but the pass is cut out. Ireland will have to be patient.

Temuri Ketsbaia is sporting a rather casual checkered shirt and jeans combo inside the Aviva Stadium this evening. It's a far cry from the days of oversized Newcastle United shirts.

Marc Wilson has Ireland's first attempt of the match. The Stoke City defender steps onto his favoured right foot from the left-back position and fires a 35-yard strike high and wide.

Positive signs for Ireland. First, James McClean swings a vicious cross into the box, which Zurab Khizanishvili heads away. But the ball comes straight back into the box from Andy Keogh, whose cross is met by the captain, Long. His header sails over the bar, but signs that Ireland may have to exploit the flanks to find joy tonight.

CHANCE! Shane Long pounces on a stray pass and runs at Khubutia. He easily beats the central defender for pace and races away from him and is soon one-on-one with Loria. He fires straight at the goalkeeper though and kicks the post in frustration. He should have scored.

Marc Wilson once again has a chance from range. The full-back picks up the ball from a short corner and dummies onto his right foot. His 25 yard effort flies wide of the far post though.

Ucha Lobjanidze's woeful back pass allows Shane Long to collect the ball and knock it past Giorgi Loria. The the goal gaping, Loria brings down Long and the referee sends the goalkeeper off. A stone wall red card and a free-kick in a good position for the Irish now.

James McClean curls a free-kick round the wall and substitute goalkeeper Omar Migineishvili does well to tip the ball over. This will be an uphill struggle for the visitors now, with more than an hour still to play.

CHANCE! Simon Cox's knock down finds Shane Long 25 yards out. With the ball bouncing, the captain gets his head over the ball and volleys it goalwards, but the ball whistles just wide of the post. A great effort by the 26-year-old, who looks to be the home side's main threat.

Ireland try to force the ball through the smallest of gaps as four players are within 5 yards on one another. The attack is halted as Any Keogh is called offside. The words needle and haystack spring to mind.

Georgia have an opportunity to create a chance with a free-kick, but the delivery is poor, as Delaney heads the ball out for a corner. Once more though, Ireland cut the ball out at the near post and the danger is cleared. Georgia will have to utilise any set pieces with only 10 men on the pitch.

Ireland are finding it difficult to get their foot on the ball, let alone create any chances here.

Georgia force another corner after a mistake by Paul McShane, but once again the cross is cut out easily at the near post. McClean tries to set Shane Long away, but the linesman rules that the ball had already crossed the line before the Sunderland winger could reach it.

Richard Keogh sums up Ireland's first half with a terrible pass to his full-back Paul McShane. The Hull City right-back dives to keep the ball in play but cannot do anything to prevent it going out for a throw in. McShane, Trapattoni and many Irish fans are left fuming.

Curse of the commentator! A minute after I have lambasted Keogh, he pops up with his first international goal! Shane Long is brought down on the right wing and Hoolahan's inswinging free-kick is met by the Derby County central defender, who does well to head to ball down and into the back of the net.

A much needed goal for Republic of Ireland, who have laboured in this first half against the ten men on Georgia.

There will be two minutes of added time in the first half.

Paul McShane finds himself in the right winger's position up against Dato Kvirkveila, but the Irish defender attmepts what can only be described as a comical stepover before fouling the Georgian.

A frustrating first half on the whole for Ireland, but they lead 1-0 thanks to Richard Keogh's 41st minute header. They must look to press on and score more goals in the second half with the away side down to 10 men following Giorgi Loria's dismissal.

Giovanni Trapattoni will be drumming this into his players during half time, as Ireland have looked disjointed and disinterested for the majority of the first half. He has a lot of quality at his disposal on the bench, including Robbie Keane and Aidan McGeady, and will surely mix things up if the quality doesn't improve soon.

Replays of Muratz Daushvili's two-footed lunge on James McCarthy in the first half strongly suggest the Georgian midfielder should have been sent off for the visitors. It was certainly a reckless challenge, but the referee gave nothing more than a throw-in to Ireland. It came just two minutes after Loria's red card, which may have influenced his decision. But Georgia should be down to nine men.

This isn't the only friendly match taking place tonight. USA take on Germany at 7:30pm, while England are in Rio de Janeiro to play Brazil and kick off is at 8:00pm. Take a look at Steven Topliss's preview here.

Two minutes after the restart and Ireland double their lead! James McClean beats his full-back before firing a low cross across the six yard box. Substitute goalkeeper Migineishvili misses the ball completely, which allows Shane Long to lash the ball into an unguarded net.

That second goal looks to have given Ireland the confidence to go on and get a few more. Robbie Keane, who replaced Andy Keogh at half time, is at the centre of everything the home side do, and his left footed effort is blocked and goes behind for a corner.

Elsewhere, news has reached Sports Mole that Phil Jones will start at right midfield for England tonight. Click here for the full England team.

Georgia replaced Ucha Lobjanidze with Irakzi Dzaria at half time, and David Targamadze has just come on for Muratz Daushvili.

It has been near total dominance for Ireland since their second goal, and they have clearly been told in no uncertain terms to work the ball into wide areas in this second half. James McClean has seen much of the ball since the restart.

CHANCE! Wes Hoolahan plays a delightful through ball to Shane Long with the outside of his left foot, but the captain once again fires the ball straight at the goalkeeper with his left foot.

Marc Wilson's wicked delivery from near the corner flag is met by Shane Long, but the centre forward seems to pull out of the header at the last second. Yet another great opportunity for the captain to get himself on the scoresheet. He will be bitterly disappointed if he doesn't get a goal tonight.

Ireland are now playing with a freedom which was distinctly lacking in the first half. Robbie Keane has been his usual energetic self, and seems to have injected some confidence into his teammates.

Wonderful football from Ireland. Hoolahan drags three defenders towards him before laying the ball off to Marc Wilson, who stands a ball up to the far post from the byline. Simon Cox chests the ball down and smashes a volley across the face of goal which narrowly evades the waiting Keane and Hoolahan.

Here comes the long awaited return to football for Richard Dunne. He gets a good reception from the fans inside the Aviva Stadium as he replaces Marc Wilson. Aidan McGeady also comes on in place of James McClean, who has been one of Ireland's better players.

Two shouts for a penalty for Ireland in quick succession. First, Robbie Keane loses a header to Dato Kvirkveila, but it was a clumsy challenge. Simon Cox's cross is then cut out by the defender amidst shouts for handball. In truth, either would have been a harsh decision.

Jaba Kankava is booked for the visitors, although he seemed to get a chunk of the ball in his challenge. Georgia are starting to wilt as the game progresses.

Ireland make a couple of changes, with Shane Long leaving the pitch. He will be hugely disappointed to have not scored while wearing the captain's armband for the first time. He has threatened all evening, but his finishing has let him down after some good movement. He is replaced by Connor Salmon, while James McCarthy is replaced by Jeff Hendrick.

The perfect match for Richard Dunne to make his comeback after a year out of the game, as Georgia seem to be playing without a recognised striker. Sadly for them, it is not working out as well as it does for Spain.

Stephen Quinn makes his international debut as Wes Hoolahan comes off. The visitors will be pleased, as Hoolahan has shown his class in this second half.

Poor defending by Georgia gifts Robbie Keane his 55th international goal. Aidan McGeady closes down a clearance which falls at the feet of Connor Salmon. With the angle tight and Migineishvili rushing out to meet him, Salmon coolly squares the ball to Keane - who is now wearing the armband - to slot into an empty net.

The referee stops play as Ireland knock the ball about with ease as Zurab Khizanishvili has gone down following an off-the-ball incident. Initial replays show that the defender went down as Connor Salmon ran past the former Blackburn defender, but there didnt seem to be anything malicious in the incident.

For almost the first time in this second half, Georgia have the ball in the Irish half, but seem to be chronically short of ideas in the final third. They are resorting to crossing the ball into an empty box. A valiant effort from the 10 men, but they haven't shown the necessary quality to threaten Ireland.

McGeady collects the ball from a short corner and in typical fashion runs at the defence with menace before curling the ball wide of the far post from 20 yards. Along with Keane, McGeady has looked head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch.

Robbie Keane gets his second goal of the game as Ireland make it four. Substitute Jeff Hendrick picks the ball up and drives at the Georgian defence before playing a ball to Keane, who has drifted into an inside left channel. The striker collects the ball in acres of space and slots a ball into the bottom corner. Great movement yet again from Keane ensured he had plenty of time to pick his spot.

Keane drives at the defence in search of a hat trick, but unselfishly plays the ball through to Simon Cox. However, his shot is crossed and the ball is eventually cleared by Georgia.

As three minutes of added time are announced, Shane Long is given the man-of-the-match award, much to the pleasure of the fans.

The referee blows the final whistle and the Irish fans give a polite round of applause as Ireland run out 4-0 winners. In truth, it was a shockingly poor first half performance by both teams, but Ireland improved after the break to record their biggest victory since a 4-0 win over Estonia in November 2011.

The game was rather spoiled as a spectacle following Giorgi Loria's 19th minute red card, but the referee had no choice but to send him off. It was then a case of how long Georgia could hold on for. With Ireland well below par, it took a set piece and a 41st minute goal to open the floodgates, but the second half was one-way traffic. Robbie Keane's introduction injected some much needed quality into the Irish attacks, as he dovetailed well with the effervescent Long. Keane ended the evening with his 55th and 56th international goals after Simon Cox gave the home side a lead in the 47th minute.

Keane produced a fine performance in his 125th international appearance, which takes him level with Shay Given as Republic of Ireland's record cap holder.

Trapattoni will no doubt instruct his players that their first half performance was not good enough. They play the Faroe Islands on Friday evening and even against such low key opposition, they will have to play at a much higher standard. The second half, however, was far better.

Before I leave you, I will point you in the direction of Liam Power's live text commentary of Brazil vs England, where Barcelona's new £51m acquisition, Neymar, starts.

That's all from me for today, though. Thanks for sticking with me through a dour first half! It undoubtedly picked up in the second 45 minutes, though, thanks in no small part to the introduction of Robbie Keane, who showed his class with two goals.