The win was the Republic's fourth successive group victory, a feat achieved on only three previous occasions in their history.

The Slovaks, desperate for victory themselves under new coach Jan Kocian following heavy home defeats last year to Germany and the Czech Republic, threatened in the opening minutes following a delayed start.

Shay Given, captaining the side in the absence of the suspended Robbie Keane and on his 80th cap to equal the Republic goalkeeping record of Packie Bonner, was forced to push an early Robert Vittek shot beyond the post.

The goal arrived in the 12th minute following a foul on Lee Carsley from former Blackburn defender Vratislav Gresko.

Duff had found himself caged on the left flank in the opening exchanges by two markers every time he received the ball.

But free to curl a free-kick into the near post, he picked out Doyle who rose above Martin Skrtel to plant a downward header inside the left-hand post of Kamil Contofalsky.

Inevitable pressure followed from the Slovaks, resulting in Marek Sapara glancing a header nowhere from an unmarked position inside the area when he should have tested Given.

The goalkeeper then showed his agility with a one-handed stop, turning aside a 25-yard drive from Vittek in the 24th minute.

Doyle should undoubtedly have done better in a three-on-two break just after the half hour, electing to tamely shoot.

After the break, the hosts began to lose possession in key areas, again giving the ball away too cheaply and inviting the Slovaks to dictate the game.

An incisive through ball from Igor Zofcak found Martin Jakubko on the edge of the six-yard box, only for Paul McShane to produce a crunching tackle.

At the other end, Gresko cleared a header off the line from substitute Shane Long, while the second a minute later saw him head wide.

There was one late Given block to deny sub Filip Holosko before the proverbial roof was lifted off Croke Park at the final whistle.