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The Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifying campaign began with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Georgia at the Wildparkstadion in Mainz.

Kevin Doyle's sixth international goal gave the visitors the platform after just 12 minutes, with Glenn Whelan profitting from a horrendous mistake from Georgia keeper George Loria to seal the victory mid-way through the second half.

Levan Kenia made it a nervy few moments for Ireland when he scored in stoppage time, but it was too little too late.

The result gave new coach Giovanni Trapattoni victory in his first competitive match as Ireland look to secure at least a play-off spot in Group Eight, which also includes Italy, Cyprus and Bulgaria.

Ireland made an excellent start when the in-form Doyle - who scored a hat-trick for Reading last weekend - headed them in front after just 12 minutes, picked out by a fine cross from Aidan McGeady from the right.

It might have been 2-0 within three minutes but Loria, who had come from his line to clear Stephen Hunt's free-kick, was in the right place at the right time to parry Glenn Whelan's well-struck follow-up.

The visitors took their foot off the gas somewhat after that, although Georgia themselves failed to show any great inclination to push forward for an equaliser until the closing minutes of the half.

Freiburg striker Alexander Iashvili had a golden chance to bring the home side level on 36 minutes, but he planted his header over the bar from just six yards out after a corner found him completely unmarked.

John O'Shea had a fine chance to double the lead just after the break, but he headed over from eight yards out after meeting a corner on the run.

Ireland skipper Robbie Keane hit the woodwork on 56 minutes when he intercepted a dreadful back-pass from AC Milan defender Kakha Kaladze, rounded the keeper and fired in his shot from a tight angle against the post, with Stephen Reid drilling the rebound just wide from 20 yards.

Georgia stepped up their game as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser, with Ireland camped in their own box during a nervy five-minute spell just after the hour.

But a horrendous mistake from Loria on 70 minutes gifted Ireland a second goal and a comfortable cushion. There looked little danger when Whelan decided to shoot from fully 40 yards, but the keeper somehow allowed the ball to squirm through his hands and over the line.

The goal took the wind out of the Georgia sails, and Ireland coach Trapattoni packed the midfield in the closing stages to ensure his side snuffed out any chance of a late fightback and took all three points from a potentially tricky match.

Kenia's late effort clearly irritated the Italian but his side then held on for a deserved win.

MONTENEGRO 2-2 BULGARIA

An injury-time goal by substitute Blagoy Georgiev gave 10-man Bulgaria a 2-2 draw against Montenegro.

Montenegro looked to have secured a win in their competitive debut nine minutes from time when Stevan Jovetic converted a penalty to put them 2-1 ahead, moments after Bulgaria's Stanislav Angelov had received a red card.

However, Slavia Sofia midfielder Georgiev stole a precious point for Bulgaria with a magnificent free kick in the dying seconds of the entertaining game.

The visitors took the lead in the 11th minute with their first meaningful attack of the match when Stilian Petrov raced on to a precise pass from Velizar Dimitrov to unleash a swerving shot from close range.

New Manchester United signing Dimitar Berbatov missed a gilt-edged opportunity to double Bulgaria's lead midway through the first half when he ran through into a space but he shot straight at goalkeeper Vukasin Poleksic from inside the penalty area.

Montenegro captain Mirko Vucinic hit the crossbar directly from a corner four minutes from halftime and levelled the score in the 62nd minute with a perfectly taken free kick.

Alex Sharratt / Eurosport