Ireland v Latvia recap: Stephen Kenny's men battle to victory
On a night where all eyes were all Evan Ferguson, it was all about Will Smallbone as he staked his claim for a starting spot on Monday.
Some 41,000 would turn up on Wednesday for Ireland's friendly against Latvia and within minutes Ireland were 1-0 after a well worked goal was finished by Callum O'Dowda.
Evan Ferguson did not let the hype get to him as he scored his first international goal soon after and Ireland were 2-0 up.
Robert Uldrikis scores one of the finest goals the Aviva Stadium has seen with a long range effort at the 33 minute mark in a sucker punch goal.
And Latvia were somehow level at the half when Arturs Zjuzins put a low strike in the bottom corner.
But Ireland averted disaster when Chiedoze Ogbene scored Ireland's third.
Will Smallbone won player of the match in his debut with a silky midfield performance while Mikey Johnston made an exciting cameo when he came on.
