ROBBIE Keane scored a first-half hat-trick in just 12 minutes to help the Republic of Ireland secure a convincing victory against minnows Gibraltar.

It was third time in 136 appearances for his country that Keane had bagged three goals and it earned him the accolade of being the highest all-time scorer in European Championship qualifiers, his tally of 21 overtaking Turkey's Hakan Suker.

The win sets up Martin O'Neill and his players for their midweek trip to play world champions Germany. Of course, they will have a very different evening in Gelsenkirchen, where they will be up against it. But they can only beat what was put in front of them, and they coped comfortably last night.

Although Gibraltar lost 7-0 to Poland last month, they were only 1-0 down at half-time and that goal was from a deflection. That wasn't lost on O'Neill going into this game and he was genuinely concerned about being able to get that all-important opener. The weight was lifted from his shoulders after just five minutes. Aiden McGeady received a lovely pass from Wes Hoolahan and from the right wing he rolled a cross along the six-yard box. Keane, as ever, was there and he stroked the ball home.

Keane received terrific service all evening. His - and the Republic's - second goal came four minutes later. Hoolahan played him in and he was one-on-one with goalkeeper Jordan Perez. It's the kind of chance Keane could have scored with his eyes closed. He made no mistake and coolly placed the ball past Perez from 16 yards out.

Keane was in the mood and the hat-trick came in the 17th minute after Jeff Hendrick's long ball found him. His shot was well saved by Perez and the rebound fell to Hoolahan. Perez then fouled the Norwich man to concede a penalty. Keane grabbed the ball and sent Perez the wrong way as he placed low to the keeper's left. That takes his tally to 65 goals for his country.

The rest of the first half was, quite simply, shooting practice. McGeady was denied twice by Perez. Hoolahan was just inches wide with an effort from 20 yards. Gibraltar were clearly relieved at only being three down at the interval.

But the home team increased their lead just 31 seconds after the restart. Keane provided James McClean with a tap-in and the Wigan winger made no mistake from seven yards. The keeper then scored a bizarre own goal when the ball rebounded off his foot from five yards out.

He retrieved it from the net again in the 53rd minute when he parried a Keane shot and McClean hammered home the loose ball. Goal No 7 came three minutes later and it was a deserved one for Hoolahan, who dribbled past three players and shot past Perez from four yards.

The Gibraltar goalkeeper was demoralised, but won a standing ovation when Jamie Robba came on to replace him on the hour. A minute later Ireland's David Forde made his only save of the match when he fingertipped a Joseph Chipolina header over the crossbar.

It was a surprise to see Gibraltar in the Irish half. When they did venture forward the home central defensive pairing of Marc Wilson and John O'Shea were jittery and unconvincing.

Darron Gibson also cleared one off the line for his team in the 85th minute. It was surprising no more goals were scored.

Republic of Ireland (4-2-4): Forde, Meyler, O'Shea, Wilson, Ward (Brady 70) Gibson, Hendrick, McGeady, Hoolahan (Doyle 64), Keane (Murphy 63), McClean. Subs not used: Clark, Whelan, Long, Pilkington, Stokes, Elliot, Quinn, Walters. Westwood.

Gibraltar (4-1-4-1): Jordan Perez (Robba 60), Wiseman, Ryan Casciaro, Roy Chipolina (Santos 58), Joseph Chipolina, Payas, Brian Perez, Bado (Guiling 45), Walker, Gosling, Lee Casciaro. Subs not used: Artell, Casciaro, Lopez, Sergeant, Priestley, Bosio, Garcia, Hernandez, Coleing.

Referee: Leontios Trattou (Cyprus)