Robbie Keane equalled Niall Quinn's Irish record of 21 international goals as the Ireland opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-0 win over Cyprus yesterday.

Keane rounded off Ireland's scoring with a 55th-minute penalty after first-half goals from Clinton Morrison and Andy Reid in the Group Four game at Lansdowne Road.

Morrison, who had last scored for Ireland 13 months ago, put the home side in front just past the half hour when he sent a glancing header inside the far post from Damien Duff's cross from the left.

Five minutes later, Andy Reid, cutting in from the right, curled a superb left-footed shot from 25 metres inside the far post past the diving Nicos Panayiotou.

Ireland were in almost complete control throughout the match, despite taking more than half an hour to break the deadlock, and continuing to swamp their opponents for the rest of the hour.

Panayiotou was Cyprus's outstanding player, making a string of fine saves to prevent a rout.

Keane converted from the spot after Georgios Theodotou tripped Duff. Quinn had scored his 21st Ireland goal in a World Cup qualifier against the same opponents into the same goal at Lansdowne Road in 2001.

Striker Michalis Konstantinou made two chances for Cyprus, shooting wide from a narrow angle on the left past keeper Shay Given and two defenders in the 39th minute. He beat three men in a tight space in the 64th but Given turned his shot wide.