90: The full-time whistle goes and, despite that late scare, The Republic have held on for a vital victory.
90: Just 20 seconds to go.
90: GOAL - A late twist as Kenia caps a superb performance by cutting inside and firing home from 10 yards out. Surely The Republic can't blow this now.
90: Georgia are keeping going and win a corner. It's cleared to Kenia who tries to create something but The Republic hold firm
90: There will be three minutes of added time.
89: Kilbane clears behind for a corner which The Republic defend well.
88: Kenia has to rush his pass as the green shirts close him down and the ball ends up back in the hands of Given.
87: Andy Keogh replaces McGeady.
86: The Republic fans are in fine voice now as the clock runs down.
85: Five minutes to go and it's nearly job done for The Republic.
84: Miller has a chance to get to the byeline but overruns the ball and it's out before he crosses.
83: Keane sums up Ireland's spirit by dashing 50 yards to try and close down a defensive clearance.
82: Odikadze almost latches onto a loose ball in the box but Dunne clears.
81: The industrious Hunt wins a free-kick on the left which The Republic take short and pass across midfield. It's all about keeping possession now.
80: Hunt weaves into the box but opts to cross instead of shoot and the chance goes begging.
79: Finnan is replaced by Paul McShane.
78: A bit early to say but this one looks in the bag for The Republic. They're defending superbly and could easily nick another on the break.
77: Iashvili is straight into the action as he almost gets onto the end of a cross.
76: Doyle is replaced by Liam Miller as Trapattoni opts for five across midfield. For Georgia, Mchedildze replaces Iashvili
75: Still no way forward for Georgia as The Republic defend with discipline.
74: Georgia are going sideways as they try and plot a way through The Republic defence. Trapattoni will have enjoyed that spell of defending.
73: An Irish supporter incensed by a jumping tackle on Doyle tries to run onto the pitch. He's taken away and his fellow fans look frankly embarrassed.
72: Robust tackle from Kilbane. The Republic are making sure they keep a grip on this game.
71: Think Scott Carson v Croatia if you want to imagine how bad the goalkeeper error was.
70: GOAL - Well we did say the Georgian goalkeeper was an accident waiting to happen and he's just proved it. Whelan has a go from 30 yards and it looks meat and drink for Loria but it slips through his gloves and The Republic have a 2-0 lead. A shocking error
69: Georgia win a corner at the other end but Doyle heads Kenia's cross away at the near post.
68: McGeady dribbles goalwards and goes down right on the edge of the area but he doesn't even win a free-kick.
67: Three quarters of the match gone and can The Repubic hold out? Georgia will be looking for one big push but Trapattoni's men could be dangerous on the break.
66: Big scare for the Republic. Kenia's deep cross is turned back across goal by Khizanishvili but it strikes Dunne and goes behind. Georgia can't profit from the corner but Ireland are under real pressure here.
65: Kenia's cross is cleared to relieve the pressure.
64: The corner is cleared but O'Shea has to make a smart interception when the cross comes back in. Georgia keep up the pressure though and win another corner.
63: Kilbane has to head behind for a corner as Iashvili gets in a decent cross.
62: Georgia make a switch and on comes Siradze.
61: Kenia tries a shot on the turn but balloons it over the bar. He's really impressed tonight. I wonder if any big clubs are watching.
60: An hour gone and it's still looking good for The Republic.
59: The ball pings around in the Georgia area before Hunt tries a shot from the edge of the box but it lacks power and Loria is right behind it.
58: Hunt does a little shuffle and wins a free-kick down the left.
57: Kobiashvili crosses from the left but Odikadze can't get on the end of it. A reminder though that The Republic need a second goal.
56: Fantastic chance for Keane. Kaladze's back pass is short, allowing Keane to pick it up and round the goalkeeper but from a narrowish angle his shot crashes against the woodwork. It drops out to McGeady who can only fizz his effort wide.
55: Kenia tries some fancy footwork out on the right but Kilbane isn't having any of it and wins a block tackle.
54: Good possession by Ireland before Hunt runs into Khizanishvili. No free-kick.
53: Stupidly, Aleksidze handles a cross inside The Republic box and earns himself a booking and gives away a free-kick.
52: Odikadze has a pop from 30 yards out but his shot is deflected and Given makes the stop.
51: It's taken deep by Hunt to Dunne at the far post. He brings it down superbly and then wins another corner. McGeady takes this one and John O'Shea meets it but heads well over the bar. A great chance wasted.
50: Keane wins The Republic a corner on the right after slipping his marker.
49: Doyle presses well in midfield but is penalised.
48: Hunt goes for the cross but Loria gets a hand to it and then falls on the rebound. He's made some good saves but still looks like an accident waiting to happen.
47: Ireland stroke the ball around in midfield before Keane wins a free-kick within shooting range.
46: Careless ball by Reid but Georgia can't cash in. Trapattoni won't have liked that.
46: Georgia get the second 45 in play.
45: The whistle goes and that's the end of the first 45 minutes. The Republic will be happy with events so far.
45: Reid as usual, gets a great connection but can't keep the ball down.
45: Hunt is fouled 35 yards out. Chance for Reid to smash one goalwards.
44: McGeady gallops forward but the white shirts are on him quickly and all he gets is a throw.
43: Robbie Keane comes deep to get some possession after drifting out of the game.
42: Kobiashvili strides forward but gives the ball away - as does the increasingly frustrating McGeady.
41: McGeady gives the ball away carelessly in the middle of the park but Georgia can't profit. Kaladze still looks a little troubled by Hunt's tackle.
40: Hunt brings down Kaladze who winces in pain.
39: McGeady tries a dribble but two men are on him and he loses out.
38: The men in green are struggling to get width into their play for the time being. They were doing it well early on.
37: Just a few warning signs of late for The Republic so Trapattoni will want a second goal and some breathing space.
36: Lovely corner from Kenia picks out Iashvili but he heads well over the bar from just six yards out. A golden chance spurned.
35: Kobiashvili hits the free-kick left footed but it hits the wall. However, Georgia press and win a corner.
34: The lively Kenia is fouled and wins a free-kick around 25 yards out.
33: More possession just lately for Georgia but they can't do anything with it.
32: Fantastic defensive header from Dunne stops Aleksidze getting onto the end of a cross.
31: Just over half an hour gone and The Repubic will be extremely satisfied with events so far. Georgia aren't offering anything in attack so far.
30: Kobiashvili and Aleksidze try to combine outside the Republic box but the move breaks down.
29: Trapattoni continues to shout himself hoarse on the touchline. What will he do if his team are losing?!
28: McGeady's 'forward's tackle' on Kenia gives Georgia a free-kick.
27: Steven Reid thumps in the free-kick which the goalkeeper beats away. Doyle looks for the rebound but his looping header is taken by the Georgia stopper.
26: Khizanishvili is booked after bringing down the buccaneering Hunt. Free-kick just five yards outside the area.
25: Panic momentarily for the Republic as Kenia bursts into the box onto a ball over the top, but the flag is up. Offside.
24: Georgia get a bit of time on the ball but Finnan slides in well in the Republic right-back slot to turn it away for a throw.
22: Trapattoni looks to be kicking every ball on the bench - clear to see why the Republic have started so strongly if that's the example the man at the top sets.
21: Free-kick to the Republic in the centre circle as the Georgians try to make an impact.
19: The Republic continue to look lively here - as things stand it'd be no surprise to see them add to their lead.
17: Hunt crosses into the area but the goalkeeper makes the catch, somewhat awkwardly.
16: Hunt crosses from the left and it causes panic in the Georgia defence. Whelan has a shot charged down by the goalkeeper before Dunne skews his shot across goal and the men in white shirts clear.
13: GOAL - Robbie Keane feeds McGeady down the right edge of the box and his cross is headed into the net by Kevin Doyle. A fantastic start for the Republic.
11: Georgia are getting plenty of the ball in midfield with Kenia and Menteshashvili prominent.
10: Khizanishvili whips a dangerous cross in from the left but none of his teammates have made a forward run and it goes for a goal-kick.
8: Kilbane, wearing a protective mask, is caught from behind by Kenia. Always a worry when he goes to the ground but he's quickly on his feet
7: McGeady gives a free-kick away on the left. In it comes from Kenia but Shay Given makes a confident catch.
6: Poor touch by Hunt in a decent position. That's twice he's looked a little clumsy.
5: Doyle tries to work space for a cross down the left but the ball comes off him last and it's a goal-kick.
3: Georgia settle down with some passes across their backline.
2: Georgi Shashiashvili needs treatment after trying to make amends for giving the ball away with a last-gasp tackle. He's okay to continue.
1: Terrible defending at the back by Georgia almost lets Hunt in but the hosts clear.
1: The Republic get the game in play.
Just a reminder that tonight's match is taking place in Mainz, Germany due to the ongoing political situation in Georgia.
Stephen Hunt is drafted into Giovanni Trapattoni's starting line-up as the Republic of Ireland launched their World Cup qualifying campaign against Georgia. The Reading midfielder, as expected, took the place of the injured Damien Duff in the only change to the side which ran out for last month's friendly in Norway. Wigan full-back Kevin Kilbane makes his 49th consecutive competitive appearance wearing a protective mask over his fractured cheekbone. Georgia boss Hector Cuper makes four changes to the side which beat Wales 2-1 last month, one of which saw AC Milan defender Kakha Kaladze return.
Rep of Ireland: Given, Finnan, Kilbane, O'Shea, Dunne, Whelan, McGeady, Steven Reid, Doyle, Keane, Hunt. Subs: Kiely, Andy Reid, Miller, McShane, Delaney, Keogh, Murphy.
Georgia: Loria, Lobjanidze, Kaladze, Shashiashvili, Kenia, Aleksidze, Iashvili, Kobiashvili, Khizanishvili, Odikadze, Menteshashvili. Subs: Makaridze, Salukvadze, Siradze, McHedlidze, Asatiani, Mchedildze.
