Hello and welcome to our live coverage of this big, big game for Ireland in Skopje as they take on a team that often fills Irish fans with dread – Macedonia.

AND THERE IS THE FINAL WHISTLE!! Excellent result for Ireland…they got the better of an eventful first-half and they then did a professional job to kill off the game in the second-half. Thanks for joining us. Ireland actually are third in the table due to the head-to-head record but they remain in great shape.

And it is actually Ireland doing the late pressing …they have a corner and decide to play it short before Long finally fires wide.

Ireland need to hang on for just two more minutes.

Well over the bar from Trickovski. Poor, poor effort.

Ireland concede a free-kick in a dangerous area - could Macedonia get a late goal.

Keane nearly seals his hat-trick as he puts McGeady's cut-back towards goal but it is blocked by Noveski.

Chants of 'Ole' from the away fans as Ireland string a few passes together.

Ball just been passed around midfield without any urgency for either team. Dare I say job done?

Popov with another shot from distance but goes well wide of the target.

Macedonia still trying to find an opening but Trapattoni's defence looks to be a well oiled machine.

So it looks like it is going to be as you were in Group B with Ireland, Russia and Slovakia all winning. Ireland's remaining games are: Slovakia (H), Russia (A), Andorra (A) and Armenia (H)

Nothing much to report on the pitch as Ireland continue to do a solid job in this second-half. They just need to see this out now.

Popov with a powerful low drive from distance goes just wide of the target...but Given had it covered and might have even got a touch on it.

Another corner for Macedonia but once again Ireland defend it without any drama.

Corner for Macedonia just gets the home fans going a bit but Ireland defend it.

Macedonia make their final change Savic comes on for Demiri. A striker for a defensive midfielder.

20 minutes to go and it is all good news for Ireland. They are 2-0 up and don’t really look like conceding.

Best moment of the half from Macedonia – Gjurovski curls a shot towards the top corner from the edge of the area but Given is alert again to tip over the bar. The Man City man made it look easy but that was a very good save.

Clear sign that the home fans are bored of what is going on on the pitch – there is a Mexican wave going on around the ground.

Macedonia finally string a couple of pass together but Given gets down and saves comfortably when the final shot came in from Trickovski.