The victory after four qualifiers moved Ireland on to four points but they are still struggling in fifth place in Group D six points adrift of leaders Germany [ Images ] and Czech Republic.

Ireland took the lead thanks to an own goal in the seventh minute after a free kick from forward Andy Reid was deflected into the net off Davide Simoncini.

Kevin Doyle, playing only his fifth international, made it 2-0 in the 24th minute with his first goal for Ireland as he headed the ball against the underside of the bar and into the net off a cross from Kevin Kilbane.

It was another pass from Kilbane just seven minutes later that set Tottenham Hotspur's [ Images ] Robbie Keane up nicely for the first of his goals and put Ireland 3-0 up at halftime.

San Marino finally got a shot on target just after the break but Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given [ Images ], back from injury, easily blocked captain Andy Selva's effort.

A second Keane goal in the 58th minute put Ireland 4-0 up as he comfortably drove home a penalty after Paul McShane was felled in the area.

The man-of-the match scored his third goal with a header in the closing minutes after a cross into the penatly area from Andy Reid found Keane unchallenged in front of the net.

Ireland may have expected to score more goals, however, against a side that lost 13-0 to Germany in September.

"We scored five, could have been more, bit sloppy at times, but it's been a professional job, that's all we could do," Ireland manager Steve Staunton told broadcaster RTE.

They will be happy, though, with a win that was crucial to their qualifying chances after a humiliating 5-2 loss to Cyprus in October led to calls for Staunton to quit.

The pressure on him eased later that month with a 1-1 home draw against Czech Republic but Ireland are still languishing just a point ahead of Wales who have a game in hand.

Staunton said Wednesday's result was all the more pleasing given Germany had only scraped a 1-1 draw in Cyprus.

"I always knew there'd be points dropped along the way. It's come a little bit early maybe for them but who knows. There's a long way to go, I've said it all along, and we just have to keep battering away and picking up points."