Portsmouth midfielder Michael Brown is tipping surprise-package Marc Wilson for big, big things after his impressive maiden Pompey campaign.
The 22-year-old was thrown into Paul Hart's side at the start of the season following a flood of top-name departures.
No player has started more Premier League games for the Blues this season than Wilson.
It's testament to the prodigious talent of a player whose very first-team presence has come under intense scrutiny from fans at times.
Nonetheless, after playing much of the season in central defence, Wilson has gone on to establish himself as a holding midfielder - his preferred position - and become an outstanding performer.
Wilson is set to return to the Blues' line-up against Wolves on Saturday after being rested on the bench at Bolton.
And Brown regards the Irishman as one of the successes of the season.
He said: 'If Marc keeps on the right track he has a good chance of being a good Premier League player.
'You look at him and he is only 22 and has got a bit of everything.
'He has a bit of pace, has got that bit of grit about him, possesses composure on the ball, has long-range passing and he can play in several positions. People talk about his best role in the team, but I think Marc's good either way.
'He might prefer midfield but I think he'll do a job at centre half as well. He's got that versatility.
'He's got better for sure. It's difficult as well for someone to do particularly well and shine in a team which has not got results.
‘we have lost games, but people have noticed Marc and noticed what a good, young player he is.
‘I think everything has been put on the back burner with regards to the usual players' player of the year event.
‘But I would certainly think about Marc.'
Wilson's great progress for Pompey this season earned him his maiden Ireland call-up in February and he has attracted interest from Sunderland and Fulham, and both have been linked with close-season swoops.
With Portsmouth administrator Andrew Andronikou looking to cash in on some of the Blues' most bankable assets during the summer to keep the club afloat, the sale of Wilson may well be an attractive proposition.
And Brown is anticipating plenty more interest in the rising star.
He added: ‘I think there will be some clubs in for him in the summer willing to pay decent money.
‘We'll just have to see what happens, it's out of our control.
‘But I am sure there will be other clubs willing to take him.'
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has announced a list of 23 players, including eight uncapped players, who will take part in a summer training camp in Malahide from 16 to 21 May.Former League of Ireland stars Brian Murphy and Keith Fahey are both included in the squad, as are Sunderland's David Meyler, Derby County's Paul Green and Portsmouth's County Antrim born defender Marc Wilson .
Everton's Derry born defender Shane Duffy, and Wolves duo Kevin Foley and Stephen Ward make up the uncapped contingent.
Giovanni Trapattoni said: 'Training camps are useful for preparation as was proven by the one we held prior to our World Cup qualifying campaign.
'I look forward to working with these new players and learning firsthand what they have to offer as we begin to prepare for the European Championship qualifiers.'
Remaining squad members will join the camp on May 22 to prepare for the forthcoming pair of friendlies against Paraguay and Algeria on May 25 and 28 respectively in the RDS (kick off 7.45pm).
Ireland training camp squad: Keiren Westwood, Joe Murphy, Brian Murphy, Stephen Kelly, Eddie Nolan, Paul McShane, Shane Duffy, Kevin Foley, Stephen Ward, Marc Wilson, Darren O'Dea, Keith Treacy, Darron Gibson, Andy Keogh, James McCarthy, Liam Lawrence, David Meyler, Keith Fahey, Paul Green, Caleb Folan, Leon Best, Shane Long, Anthony Stokes
Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given looks set to miss the upcoming friendlies against Paraguay and Algeria at the RDS after seriously injuring his shoulder in Manchester City’s Premier League draw against Arsenal at The Emirates this evening.
The Donegal born player landed heavily on his left shoulder in pulling off a save from a stinging Vassiriki Diaby shot and looked in a lot of pain during lengthy treatment on the pitch.
Given was administered oxygen before being taken off on a stretcher to be replaced by Gunnar Nielsen.
The worry for Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni is that Given has already had surgery on a left shoulder that has troubled him throughout his career.
If he requires a further operation it could also rule him out of the glamour friendly against Argentina at the new Aviva Stadium on August 11th, before Trapattoni’s side open their European Championship qualifying campaign away to Armenia on September 3rd.
In a rare interview last year, Darron Gibson touched on a scepticism which he is starting to overcome, a scepticism that every emerging talent at Manchester United must encounter.
"I don't want people looking at me and thinking: 'What is he doing playing?'" said the Derry native. His increasing involvement in the first-team picture at Old Trafford has left that question lingering. Alex Ferguson has faith. The paying public are yet to be fully convinced.
Unlike John O'Shea, who made a high profile emergence into the big time that was aided by an affability with the media at that juncture, Gibson's progression has largely gone unheralded.
Last weekend's slip-up from Chelsea has offered the 22-year-old a chance to join the elite club of Irishmen with Premier League medals which counts Roy Keane, Denis Irwin, Damien Duff, Jeff Kenna and O'Shea as its only members. Given the dearth of players from these shores on the books of the Big Four, he's the only likely contender to join those ranks for the foreseeable future.
It's been a significant season for the midfielder in the sense that he has moved from the periphery towards the inner circle. Enthusiasm at his progression last term was tempered by the reality that he started just one Premier League game -- the dead rubber at Hull on the final day, which he marked with a late 'goal of the season' contender.
This season, aided by the perpetual injuries suffered by Owen Hargreaves and the indifferent form of Michael Carrick and Anderson, Gibson's stock has risen. He has been involved in 14 Premier League matches thus far, one more than the luckless O'Shea who suffered a freak injury in Paris, and been involved in six from the outset. Significantly, he has been entrusted with responsibility by being given the nod for marquee games with Bayern Munich and Manchester City in the last fortnight. Although the former occasion ended in disappointment, he grabbed the opening goal.
"He is getting recognition now and even the players are commenting on how much he has improved," said Ferguson, last week. "That was his sixth goal of the season and you cannot dismiss that.
"It's the kind of contribution we used to get from Paul Scholes. He used to get me to 12 to 14 goals from midfield all the time and we haven't had a player like that for a while."
They are big words to live up to and, judged against those standards, Gibson will always be exposed to flak. Nevertheless, he endured some ridiculously over the top abuse in these parts when he broke into the Irish set-up.
An unconvincing competitive debut against Cyprus earned the wrath of the RTE panel and he has yet to stand out in an Irish jersey looking unsuited by a deep lying role when Ferguson has used him as an attacking midfielder.
Indeed, while Giovanni Trapattoni may be reluctant to tinker with his system, the increasing use of a lone front man at the top level is weighted in favour of Gibson, who, at this stage of his development, is considered a luxury in a four-man midfield.
It's his inability to really impose himself on a game that has given ammunition to his critics. He spent a period on loan with Wolves in 2007/08 and struggled with the demands of the Championship. Team-mates spotted an ability on the training ground which he failed to bring into battle. Similarly, he has dominated matches at reserve level, playing with real assertiveness compared to his outings in the spotlight.
With Ireland he has struggled to find his range and, save for an impressive cameo in Bari last April, his performances have underwhelmed. Surprisingly, for a player with a reputation for his prowess on the ball, he has lacked assurance in possession. Trapattoni was instantly bowled over by his willingness to get involved in a 'B' international with Nottingham Forest where he was a lively presence, but, on occasions, the game has passed him by.
Certainly, his well-being will be central to Ireland's hopes of qualifying for major tournaments in the next decade. Big name players are needed to replace Robbie Keane, Duff and Richard Dunne as they approach their swansong; at this stage, Gibson and the immensely promising Wigan star James McCarthy are the front runners to become the key figures of a new generation.
The nickname 'Moody' suggests that he can be a difficult character, very much a confidence player. However, after becoming a father last year when his girlfriend of four years gave birth to a baby girl, there is evidence of a growing maturity. "I don't really go out any more, I can't be bothered," said Gibson. "It's the same faces and posers all the time."
It's an attitude which will endear him to Ferguson. He awarded Gibson a new three-year deal last year and, with a summer of hectic transfer business anticipated at Old Trafford, he's far more secure than some of his colleagues.
If he adds conviction to the raw materials, then he'll be around for the long haul. A world of opportunity awaits.
Robbie Keane has been voted the Celtic fans' player of the year despite having been at the club only two-and-a-half months.
The 29-year-old striker joined the Scottish giants on loan from Tottenham just hours before the transfer window closed at the start of February amid huge fanfare at Parkhead.
The Ireland international collected the award at the club's annual dinner after taking his tally to 13 goals in 15 games with the opener in Saturday's 3-2 home win against Hibernian.
However, Keane's impressive personal form failed to revive Celtic's season, with manager Tony Mowbray sacked as they fell further behind in the title race, while the Bhoys were then dumped out of the Scottish Cup semi-finals by Ross County in one of the worst defeats in the club's history.
Fellow Ireland international Aiden McGeady was a clear winner in the players' player of the year category but Keane's gong shows how few Celtic players have impressed consistently this season.
Keane also shared the top goalscorer award with Georgios Samaras, although both have netted one less than Scott McDonald, who was sold to Middlesbrough in January.
Ireland international Marc Wilson insisted Portsmouth's victory over Spurs will provide the team with inspiration when they face Chelsea in the Cup final.
Avram Grant's side sprung a major surprise as they delivered a big upset to knock out Harry Redknapp's men at Wembley on Sunday.
Pompey battled their way through to the final with a display of grit and heart.
County Antrim born Wilson felt the match proved to be a nip-and-tuck affair, before his side took the lead in extra-time through Frederic Piquionne.
They doubled their advantage through a Prince Boateng penalty to seal a win which will go down in Fratton folklore.
Wilson's side now have an even bigger task in the final when they face Chelsea.
But the Irishman believes yesterday's triumph can provide inspiration for another unlikely success.
Wilson said: 'I don't think there was a lot between the teams.
'Tottenham are a great side with great players.
'I think we just nicked the goal at the right time and that was good for us.
'Chelsea are a great team. They are one of the best teams in England, if not the best. We don't care who we'll face. We are just delighted that we have made it this far.
'We have to carry on in the same way we have been going so far. It's been a fantastic run.
'Chelsea are a good side, but so are Spurs – and no-one gave us a chance of beating them.'
Wilson explained there were riotous scenes in the Pompey dressing room after yesterday's win.
He said: 'The lads are buzzing. It was a brilliant atmosphere in the dressing room afterwards. It was definitely a bit lively.
'I was really pleased for the lads and delighted to get the result.
'It's a huge achievement to get to the final.'
A second half goal by Ireland striker Daniel Kearns at Tolka Park on Thursday night made it two wins from this week's double-header friendly against Poland.
Belfast born Kearns marked his first start for Ireland with a goal which gave his side a 1-0 victory in the U-19 international.
The pair of victories in their final warm-up games will give the Irish a boost ahead of the UEFA Elite qualifiers which takes place in Ukraine from May 26-31 against England, Bosnia-Herzegovina and mini-group hosts.
It took an Irish attack of sublime quality in the 58th minute to break the deadlock. Substitute Conor Henderson split the vistors' defence with a threaded pass to Doran on the left, who in turn found Kearns in the box with his back to goal. The West Ham United forward turned his marker brilliantly and fired a low shot past Socha in the Poland goal.
Daniel Kearns was delighted to score the winner on the night in only his second game under Sean McCaffrey.
He admitted: "Obviously it was brilliant for me to score on my first start." However, he was even happier with the team's performance over the two games "These games have been great preparation for the elite qualifying stage. We have a very tough group so it will be good to go into the qualifiers on the back of two good performances."
Ireland: Ger Hanley (Mervue United); Padraic Ormsby (Shamrock Rovers), Gavin Gunning (Rotherham United), Rob Kiernan (Kilmarnock), Shaun Timmins (Birmingham City); Aaron Doran (Blackburn Rovers), Jimmy Keohane (Wexford Youths), Conor Hourihane (Sunderland), Daniel Kearns (West Ham United); Jamil Adam (Barnsley), Charlie Collins (MK Dons)
Substitutions: Ronan Murray (Ipswich Town) for Collins, Conor Henderson (Arsenal) for Keohane (both h/t), Thomas McBride (Derry City) for Hourihane, Gary Burke (Bohemians) for Kearns (both 65 mins), Cian Bolger (Leicester City) for Kiernan, Ryan Brennan (Drogheda United) for Adam (both 76 mins), Shane McEleney (Derry City) for Timmons (84 mins)
Seamus Coleman can’t wait to return to Everton despite forging a reputation as a rising loan star in the Championship.
The Irish full-back from Killybegs in Donegal has built on his growing potential with a string of superb performances for Blackpool, where he is currently on loan from the Toffees.
Coleman, 21, has already scored for his temporary club and was voted man of the match for Ian Holloway’s side after their victory over Doncaster on Easter Monday.
Now Everton boss David Moyes will mull over a likely request from Holloway to extend the right-back’s loan period until the end of the season.
The original agreement between the clubs was for a month-long deal which is set to end next week.
Coleman is hoping he will be allowed to stay and help the Seasiders’ bid to reach the play-offs.
But he is determined to be back at Goodison for next season, when he believes the Blues are on the brink of a special campaign.
He said: “Everton is the place to be now. It's a pity our run in Europe is over, I played in three games in the Europa League and that was a great experience, but I feel we could really do something at Everton next season. I want to be part of that.
“I had a good chat with David Moyes before I came here, he told me straight that I was doing well and that I was still in his plans but he just wanted me to get some more experience.
“I am getting games and that's the main reason I came here – to get more experience.”
Coleman has been encouraged to attack by Holloway, and scored an impressive solo goal against Scunthorpe on Good Friday.
He said: “David Moyes has managed in the Championship, he knows it's a good standard and a good test for me.
“Everton have been in touch all along since I came here on loan. Alan Stubbs rings me after every gameto see how I got on, and the club are following my progress, so that's good to know.
“But Moyes has told me that my future lies with Everton and that they certainly don't have any plans to sell me.
“I have 18 months left on my contract so I intend to see that out and they want to keep me, they seem happy with how I am doing.”
On whether he will remain at Bloomfield Road, he said: “We’ll obviously have to wait and see what Everton say, but whatever both clubs want I’d be happy with.
“I’d love to stay and help us get promoted, but if I have to go back that’s the way it is, and I just have to do whatever I’m told.”
Liam Lawrence says he wants more regular football to keep alive his Ireland career and this could mean his leaving Stoke is search of more regular starts for his club team.
He revealed that Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has warned him that he must find regular first-team football.
The 28 year old midfielder, scored in Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Hull but is unhappy with how this season has gone.
Lawrence said: ‘I’ve not done as well as I’ve wanted. I’ve been in and out of the side, which hasn’t helped. I’ve spoken at length to the manager (Tony Pulis). We’ve had a couple of meetings.
‘We’ll just have to wait and see what happens. I just want to play football. Being in the Premier League at a good team like Stoke, it’s not guaranteed.
‘Trapattoni has spoken to me about it and I do need to be playing to keep involved with the squad.
'To play me in the massive games that he did for Ireland gave me massive confidence and he’s a fantastic manager.’
Lawrence admitted that his form has fortunes have gone downhill since Ireland’s World Cup play-off heartbreak.
He said: ‘When I’ve come back to Stoke, sometimes I’ve not played as well as I can do and maybe that’s why I’ve not played as regularly.
'After the France game, I came back and was in and out. It’ s just been one of those seasons and it’s been the worst since I’ve been at Stoke.
‘I don’t know if it’s because of the disappointment of losing to France. It’s down to me now. I’ve just got to keep my head down and try to stay in the team for the rest of the season.’
The former Sunderland player, who has been at Stoke since January 2007, explained his emotional celebration after scoring on Saturday by saying: ‘It was a massive relief. I’ve bided my time this season. I’m feeling stronger all the time.’
It was his first goal since he scored against the same opponents at the KC Stadium last May.
Everton reserve team coach Alan Stubbs believes one of the real positives to be taken from the recent 0-0 draw with Manchester City was the impressive form of Ireland international Shane Duffy.
The teenage Derry born centre-back was given the captain's armband for the fixture and Stubbs has been delighted with the Irishman’s progress this season.
"The one thing about Shane is that he competes very well," said former Toffee's defender Stubbs.
"We're still trying to get that little bit of sloppiness out of his game from time to time, but that comes with being a young defender. The coaches are trying to make him understand the consequences of any decision-making and hopefully he will learn from that.
"He was one player who stood up against the test and he led by example."
Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni has revealed he turned down a move to Juventus earlier this year.
The 71-year-old claims he was sounded out about replacing Ciro Ferrara, who was sacked at the end of January after a poor run of results, before the Turin club appointed Alberto Zaccheroni until the end of the season.
'With a heavy heart I turned it down because it was impossible for me to be involved in a national team and club football,' Trapattoni told Italian television station Italia 1.
'It would not have been a serious option.'
Trapattoni, who guided Juve for a total of 13 years over two spells, became Ireland manager in 2008.
Ireland, who finished runners-up to Italy in their World Cup qualifying group, missed out on a place in South Africa in a play-off against France last November.
Trapattoni is under contract with Ireland until the 2012 European Championships.
Sean McCaffrey yesterday named a 19 man squad to face Poland in a double header friendly on Tuesday April 6 and Thursday April 8. The fixtures will take place in Tolka Park with both matches kicking off at 7.30pm.
The 19 players were chosen from a pool of 30 players who attended a training camp at Bisham Abbey in England in February this year. The group spent five days at the purpose-built training facility to work on tactics and formations and these friendlies will focus the minds of the players before heading off to the Ukraine.
The squad includes players that have risen through the international ranks from Under 17's such as Ger Hanley, Johnny Dunleavy, Richie Towell, Gavin Gunning, Aaron Doran and Conor Hourihane while some will be making their international debuts: Ian McLoughlin, Cian Bolger, Thomas McBride, Sean Kinsella and Charlie Collins.
Manager Sean McCaffrey said, "We will be using these friendlies to bed down how we are going to play in the elites. Poland are a good side, they are also competing in the elite phase of the European championships so they will be looking for a competitive double header. We were able to get a lot of preparation work done in the training camp in Bisham Abbey so hopefully the players will use what they learnt against what will be tough opposition."
He added, "It is unfortunate that a number of players are not available for these games. Greg Cunningham and Andy Boyle are out due to club commitments while Robbie Brady has been ruled out with a thigh strain, Callum O'Connor is recovering from a collar bone injury and Gearoid Morrisey is also out due to injury."
Ireland Under 19 squad v Poland:
Ian McLoughlin - Ipswich Town
Ger Hanley - Mervue United
Johnny Dunleavy - Wolves
Richie Towell - Celtic
Shane McEleney - Derry City
Cian Bolger - Leicester City
Rob Kiernan - Kilmarnock
Gavin Gunning - Rotherham United
Shaun Timmins - Birmingham City
Aaron Doran - Blackburn Rovers
Jimmy Keohane - Wexford Youths
Thomas McBride - Derry City
Sean Kinsella - Plymouth Argyle
Conor Hourihane - Sunderland
Conor Henderson - Arsenal
Jamil Adam - Barnsley
Ronan Murray - Ipswich Town
Charlie Collins - MK Dons
Paddy McEleney - Derry City
Former Northern Ireland manager Brian Hamilton has openly supported the right of players born in the North of Ireland to choose their own international future. Speaking on RTE radio, Hamilton stated that while he would prefer players to play for Northern Ireland, he accepted that players had the right to play for Ireland and that their choice should be respected by the IFA.
Hamilton’s interview echoes those of present Ireland players like Shay Given who has supported the right of Darron Gibson and Marc Wilson to play for Ireland and also echeos the support of people and politicians the length and breadth of the island who accept that Irishmen have the right to represent Ireland, as is reflected in FIFA’s own rules.
The eligibility issue has again reared its head as the IFA continue their campaign to stop young players having the right to represent their country at international level. The IFA have recently brought the issue to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, despite 3 previous rulings from FIFA stating that the existing situation of players born in the 6 counties being able to represent Trapattoni’s Ireland, remains.
Hamilton, who managed Northern Ireland for 5 years during the 1990’s said that he had respected the decisions of players to opt to play for Ireland during his time as a manager & that some players simply wanted to play for Ireland, rather than the North. Hamilton continued that it was their choice, a choice he fully accepted.
In what perhaps could be construed as a criticism of the Present boss of the North’s team, Nigel Worthington, Hamilton said that he only ever did interviews relating to sporting issues when he was manager and left the other issues to those who dealt with those matters. He stated that managers should only be concerned about the football and the players.
Worthington has been very vocal in his support for the IFA’s campaign to stop Irish players representing Ireland and has totally failed to grasp the concept that players like Gibson, Wilson etc.., like a large percentage of football supporters in the North have always supported and followed Ireland and it is totally natural to want to represent your national side, as has been talked about by County Antrim born international Marc Wilson.
Hamilton has also again voiced his support for the concept of an all Ireland football team and said it would be ‘something very special’ to have an all Ireland side in the future.
Hamilton is one of the many former northern Ireland players who have openly supported the formation of an all Ireland team. Both Martin O’Neill and Pat Jennings have spoken of their support for a single team on the island, former greats George Best and Derek Dougan spoke openly of their support and current Celtic caretaker boss Neil Lennon was abused by thousands of Northern Ireland fans at Windsor Park after a press interview in which he supported the formation of an all Ireland team.
Ireland will open their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with an away trip to Armenia on 3 September.
Giovanni Trapattoni's first competitive game at the new Lansdowne Road Stadium will be against Andorra, four days later on 7 September.
Commenting on the draw, Trapattoni said: 'I am happy with this draw and the early fixtures represent good opportunities for us and it is always good to finish at home.
'On balance, these fixtures are better than those we had in the previous World Cup qualification campaign.
'I also think the squad will have benefitted from the significant steps forward made against top sides like Bulgaria, Montenegro, Italy, France and Brazil.'Friday, 3 September 2010: Armenia (a)
Tuesday, 7 September 2010: Andorra (h)
Friday, 8 October 2010: Russia (h)
Tuesday, 12 October 2010: Slovakia (a)
Saturday, 26 March 2011: Macedonia (h)
Saturday, 4 June 2011: Macedonia (a)
Friday, 2 September 2011: Slovakia (h)
Tuesday, 6 September 2011: Russia (a)
Friday, 7 October 2011: Andorra (a)
Tuesday, 11 October 2011: Armenia (h)
Premiership managers Mick McCarthy and Roberto Martinez have issued a stern hands off warning to Premier League rivals over their in-form Irish players Kevin Doyle and James McCarthy.
The Irish duo only moved to the English Premier League, for a combined fee of £7million, last summer when Doyle left Reading for Wolves while McCarthy quit SPL side Hamilton to join Wigan.
But their valuation on the transfer market has rocketed after a season which has seen Doyle and McCarthy score eight goals between them and impress many with their work rate and determination.
Arsenal and Liverpool have both been linked with teenager McCarthy, who made his Ireland debut against Brazil earlier this month, while Doyle has a long list of admirers due to his superb form for Wolves.
But Wolves boss McCarthy believes that Doyle will spurn any suitors if the Molineux club avoid relegation this season and insists that he does not want to sell the Wexford-born star.
After last nights 3-1 win over Burnley, McCarthy and Doyle are likely to remain in the top flight next season.
"He loves it where he is. It's what makes the world go around, if a bigger, better, richer club gets in his head like any other player. But let me say, no-one would turn his head.
"I hope he scores another five or six goals and he is brilliant, keeps us up and everyone wants him and then we have a problem to deal with. I'd like to have that problem," added McCarthy, who was delighted with Doyle's selfless display in last Saturday's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa and his goal and contribution to the defeat of Burnley on Tuesday evening.
"He has had another great performance. We knew what we were buying. He was our signature player. I knew what I was buying and he's been everything I thought and probably more."
Wigan are aware that Arsenal have been keeping a special eye on McCarthy this season and it seems that a summer move for the Glasgow native is inevitable, but boss Martinez wants to keep McCarthy, and highly-rated forward Victor Moses, at the club.
"Can Wigan keep them? You'll have to ask the chairman that but I think they want to play 60 games for Wigan and them move on to the next level, but they are not ready for that yet," said Martinez.
"Maybe because they are ready to play in the Premier League now at that young age shows they are mature, but I don't think they want to go anywhere else."
Kevin Knight's superb second-half winner against Finland yesterday got Ireland's UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying hopes back on course.
Two days after Ireland opened their elite group campaign by losing 3-0 by mini-groups hosts Greece, their win - coupled with draws in two other matches - has resurrected their prospects of reaching the finals in May to be hosted by Liechtenstein.
Sean McCaffrey's Ireland side go into Wednesday's final series of matches with a decent chance to finish top and claim the sole automatic berth in the finals.
They will need to beat Austria and hope that Greece are denied victory by Finland in the other game being played simultaneously.
Ireland's starting line-up showed five changes to the side which lost on Friday and one of the newcomers, Sean Murray, was a constant threat to Finland on the right wing in the first half.
On six minutes, he dribbled down the flank and picked out Daniel Purdy in the centre with a cross. Purdy looked poised to slot home but had his shot blocked by an outstretched leg of a Finnish defender.
Tim Vayrynen tested Ireland goalkeeper Sean McDermott with an effort shot on 11 minutes but it was Ireland who carried by far the greater threat up front.
Kevin Knight saw his 15th minute header kept out while Aiden O'Brien caused havoc in the Finland box after his raiding run was brought to an end by a last-gasp clearance.
Ireland captain Sean McGinty, meanwhile, showed great awareness as the break approached to foil the Finland strikeforce when an inviting free-kick from the right floated towards the back post.
The second half saw the Irish take a tighter grip on proceedings, with Shane Byrne and Frankie Sutherland pulling the strings in midfield and Knight having the better of his marker on the left wing.
Knight set up Purdy to shoot on 53 minutes but the close-range shot was parried by Ville Kauppinen in the Finland goal.
The goal deservedly came a minute later - Knight wriggling free in the box to execute a bicycle-kick volley beyond the helpless goalkeeper.
Ireland were well on top and carved out more openings through Knight and Frankie Sutherland but Kauppinen in the Finland goal was equal to both efforts.
Finland did press during the last ten minutes but the Irish defence, marshaled superbly by McGinty, held firm to seal a vital victory.
Ireland manager Sean McCaffrey gave his assessment of the display:
"The team performed much better today by showing energy, conviction and heart.
"After Friday's weak display against Greece, I am happy that the players showed what they can do.
"I thought we defended well and created good chances. We started confidently and closed down the Finns - especially in midfield - who worked very hard, and when the goal came, Kevin Knight's finish was fantastic.
"The Finns were strong and had some great chances, especially in the second half but I thought we dealt with them well.
"A lot of that was down to Sean McGinty. He was immense as captain today, with his drive and leadership an inspiration to the entire squad."
Match-winner Kevin Knight said: "This was a real boost after losing to Greece on Friday. Our chances have gone up a lot now even though Greece still have a slight advantage. We just have to win the next game and hope Greece drop points. I really needed the goal and the team needed it too."
Ireland: Sean McDermott (Arsenal); Michael Keane (Manchester United), Neil Yadolahi (Burnley), Sean McGinty (Manchester United), Carl McHugh (Reading); Sean Murray (Watford), Frankie Sutherland (QPR), Shane Byrne (Leicester City), Kevin Knight (Leicester City); Daniel Purdy (West Ham United), Aiden O'Brien (Millwall).
Subs: George Smith (Southend United) for Murray (63 mins), David Murphy (Reading) for O'Brien (69 mins), Michael Barker (Belvedere) for Purdy (78 mins).
Ireland u16 international Bradley Garmston certainly has the pedigree to be lightening fast on the left wing for Ireland and West Brom in the future. The Chorley born teenager has been rated as the second fastest 100 & 200m runner in the UK for his age and despite a promising sprinting career has decided to stick with football.
He recently signed a two year scholarship with West Brom having spent the previous two years with their youth teams and was a member of Albion's successful under-15s team who won the National Nike Cup beating Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Arsenal and eventually Everton in the final
Sprinting certainly runs in the family for young Garmston as his mother is former Commonwealth gold medal winner Sonia Lannaman who also competed at 100m & 200m during her highly successful sprinting career.
Sixteen year old Garmston has been a regular in John Morling’s Ireland u15 & u16 teams over the last year and moved up from u15 to u16 level last summer. He recently travelled with Ireland u16’s to take part in the Albufeira 4 Nations Under-16 tournament in Portugal, competing against teams from Italy, Portugal & the Netherlands.
A meeting to arrange group B fixtures for Ireland's group in the forthcoming European Championship qualifers has ended without agreement in Moscow.
The FAI Cheif Executive, John Delaney, told RTÉ that Ireland, Russia and Slovakia did agree dates, but one of the other countries applied their veto.
As a result, Delaney confirmed that the draw will now be taken out of the hands of the countries involved and made by UEFA.
GROUP B: Andorra, Armenia, Macedonia, Ireland, Slovakia, Russia
Blackpool are lining up a swoop for Everton and Ireland u21 defender Séamus Coleman ahead of Thursday's loan deadline.
Seasiders boss Ian Holloway is on the look out for a new defender as Stephen Crainey and Ian Evatt are struggling with knocks and he could turn his attentions to the Goodison Park starlet.
Donegal born Coleman has played in the Premier and Europa League for Everton this season as injuries have hit David Moyes squad but the 21-year-old is now looking for games as the team reaches full strength again.
Moyes is keen for him to get some competitive game time under his belt and a loan move to Blackpool could be on the cards.
Celtic manager Tony Mowbray admits he does not know if Robbie Keane will remain at the club beyond the summer.
The on-loan Tottenham striker scored all three Celtic goals in the 3-0 Scottish Cup win over Kilmarnock today.
"That's not something that we get involved in," Mowbray told BBC Scotland following the quarter-final triumph.
"I'm just pleased that he's enjoying his football here and scoring a few goals. I'm delighted for him that he's got himself a hat-trick."
Keane has scored Celtic's last six goals and eight in total since his move north.
"It's a club he's supported all his life as a boy and now a man and for him to score a hat-trick, it's going to be pretty special for him of course," Mowbray said.
"And yet, like the rest of the team, he needs telling at half-time that the performance has got to be raised and he and everybody else did.
"What's important is though that he keeps contributing to the team as much as he does and working as hard for the team as he does and hopefully we can all benefit.
"Robbie Keane is a player that's been to Liverpool, Tottenham and Inter Milan. He's now at another one of the greatest clubs in the world and he's enjoying his football and yet financially the Scottish game is not in a position to match the English league or the Italian league.
"Robbie is a guy with not only responsibilities of love of football but responsibilities for his family as well and his future and for those decisions, when they come, I'm sure he'll make the one that's best for him and his family as well as his football career."
