First-half goals from Kevin Doyle and Liam Lawrence were enough to see off the South Americans, who unlike Ireland, are South Africa-bound, at the RDS.

The disappointment of their controversial play-off defeat by France remains as strong as ever, but the 71-year-old Italian has ordered his players to look to the future.

He said: "Already this week we have discussed our disappointment because we are not in South Africa.

"But I have reminded the players, life goes on, life continues. Now it's important that they forget the past.

"We have to remember our performance and continue on our way because we have another great aim, the European Championships.

"Our group is a good group, but if we continue this way with this mentality, we believe we have a good chance.

"We have this new objective and we can aspire to that and look forward to that."

Whether or not the Republic felt they had anything to prove, they got off to the perfect start when Doyle headed them in front with just seven minutes gone, although Paraguay's Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz played the pivotal role.

Santa Cruz involuntarily headed Damien Duff's cross across his own bar as the ball reared up off the pitch and Doyle pounced to convert the rebound from close range.

Paraguay, who adopted an enterprising 3-4-3 formation, enjoyed plenty of possession, but were unable to make the pressure tell, and they were caught again six minutes before the break when Liam Lawrence fired home from Doyle's lay-off.

Lucas Barrios pulled one back for the visitors 13 minutes after the restart and his side stepped up a gear in the search for an equaliser, but they were unable to peg Ireland back.

Trapattoni handed senior international debuts to Cillian Sheridan, Paul Green and Keith Fahey as second-half substitutes, but it was Wolves frontman Doyle who stole the show with his eighth goal for his country and an impressive all-round performance.

His manager said: "Sometimes I talk to [assistant boss] Marco [Tardelli] about Kevin Doyle and other strikers, and we are together in this opinion.

"I hold him in high regard. Two years ago, he was a young striker but for me, he is now one of the best strikers in England.

"Striker is a very difficult position. Sometimes they are alone, sometimes it is not possible to score a goal.

"But they are also important for the team because they can hold the ball up and let the team come forward. Kevin does that very, very well.

"He and Robbie [Keane] work very well together. They complement each other very well."

For Paraguay boss Gerardo Martino, there were pluses and minuses less than three weeks before a World Cup campaign which will pitch them into battle with reigning champions Italy, New Zealand and Slovakia.

He said: "We are playing against the last world champions and we have to make sure we make as few mistakes as possible.

"We made mistakes tonight - very few - but that was what cost us the match.

"If we make those kind of mistakes against Italy, they will take advantage and it could be fatal for us."