sentences:  He scored his first goal for the Republic of Ireland in a 2–1 defeat to the Soviet Union at Lansdowne Road on 18 October 1972.He scored in Ireland's next game, a 2–1 win over France at Dalymount Park on 15 November.Both of these games were qualification games for the 1974 FIFA World Cup; Ireland failed to qualify after finishing second in 1974 FIFA World Cup qualification for UEFA Group 9, the Soviet Union qualified as group winners whilst France finished third.