IRELAND .......... 2
POLAND ........... 0

Ireland got the New Year off to the perfect start and handed manager Giovanni Trapattoni a boost ahead of the World Cup games to come with victory over Poland at the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday night.

A month away from the crucial trip to Sweden and the home game with Austria, Ireland survived a shaky start to see off their fellow Euro 2012 finalists.

The misery of that campaign last summer and the crushing home defeat to Germany were soon forgotten when Ciaran Clark fired home a 34th minute opener after the Poles failed to clear an Irish corner.

Outnumbered and out-sung by the away fans, the home support were up off their seats again when substitute Wes Hoolahan reminded Trap what he can do with a stunning 75th minute strike off a great pass by youngster Jeff Hendrick.

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