Mark Schwarzer captained Australia to a comfortable 3-0 over the Republic of Ireland in Limerick last night.

The Fulham goalkeeper was rarely tested but did produce a couple of smart saves to keep a clean sheet. The Australians, who have already qualified for next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa, were in control of this friendly from the outset and fully merited their 2-0 half-time lead earned by two strikes from Everton’s Tim Cahill.

David Carney put the gloss on a fine performance from the Socceroos with a third late on. Stephen Kelly didn’t get off the substitutes bench for the Republic.