Dublin wins it as legends pay tribute to Miller in Cork sell-out
Manchester United win 3-2 on penalties A CROWD of 42,878 fans saw a Manchester United selection defeat a Republic of Ireland and Celtic XI 3-2 on penalties in Liam Miller’s tribute game at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
Dion Dublin scored the winning penalty after both Roy and Robbie Keane missed spot kicks.
The Republic and Celtic side came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with the United line-up, who had taken the lead when local native Denis Irwin scored the opening goal from the penalty spot — earning his own little landmark in the history books.
Louis Saha added United’s second before Robbie Keane pulled one back ahead of Corkman Colin Healy equalising late on.
Roy Keane came on for United in the second half, while Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, John O’Shea, Damien Duff, Kevin Kilbane and Richard Dunne also graced the Pairc Ui Chaoimh sod.
Meanwhile, former England assistant manager Gary Neville and retired Irish international John O’Shea have said that Declan Rice should be given more time to decide on his international future.
There have been reports that West Ham teenager Rice — who has played three friendlies for the Republic and stated he was fully committed to Martin O’Neill’s set-up before opting out of the Nations League game against Wales earlier this month — could be fast-tracked by England although any potential switch could take three months to process.
“Has he chosen to play for England yet?” said Neville.
“You’re telling me something I don’t know. The boy has to make up his mind which country he wants to play for and then he’ll obviously go from there.”
O’Shea, capped 118 times by the Republic, said: “Give him the time to make up his own mind and hopefully he will pick Ireland.”