Robbie Keane became the youngest Republic of Ireland goalscorer for almost 40 years, just 98 days past his eighteenth birthday, with his double strike against Malta at Lansdowne Road.

And it was the joyous prelude to a runaway Irish win, which put them top of Group Eight in the Euro 2000 qualifying campaign.

The minnows of Malta were let off lightly because Ireland were well satisfied with five - especially after Wolves' Keane marked his fifth international appearance with his two-goal strike early in the first half.

It made him the youngest player to score for the Republic since Johnny Giles netted against Denmark in 1959, just a few months short of his nineteenth birthday.

In Dublin, they are already predicting that ''Keane The Younger'' will go on to forge the kind of illustrious career that former Leeds United genius Giles enjoyed.

As Mick McCarthy's team strolled home, that other Keane - redoubtable skipper Roy - joined his namesake on the scoresheet with a thundering 30-yard drive that 38-year-old Maltese goalkeeper Reggie Cini could only help into his own net in 54 minutes.

Then just for good measure, giant striker Niall Quinn and beanpole defender Gary Breen added further embellishment to the scoreline.

Tony Cascarino came on as a substitute in 74 minutes and did everything he could to try and grab the goal which would have seen him equal Frank Staple-ton's record of 20 for the Republic.

But for all the urging of the 34,500 fans in Lansdowne Road, 36-year-old ''Cas'' just could not provide the crowd with the goal they wanted. However, centre stage was left for Robbie Keane.

The Keane dream was underway after just 16 minutes. Mark Kinsella's corner from the left was deflected on its way into the six-yard box and Robbie Keane reacted faster than anybody to toe-poke it in. He will probably never score an easier goal, but nobody could begrudge the rampant Robbie his cart-wheeling celebration. The Dublin crowd joined in to a man. Two minutes later there was another reason to cheer from their new young hero.

This time it was a real beauty. Steve Staunton's pass found him 30 yards from goal and Keane turned one defender, nutmegged another and curled his shot around Cini with the finishing class of a master craftsman.

The rest was a procession. After Roy Keane's rocket deceived Cini, it was just a matter of how many more. Quinn stretched to sidefoot Duff's low cross for the fourth in 63 minutes and Breen walked in the fifth eight minutes from the end.

Republic of Ireland - Given (Newcastle); Kenna (Blackburn), Cunningham (Wimbledon), Breen (Coventry), Staunton (Liverpool), McAteer (Liverpool), Kinsella (Charlton), Roy Keane (Man Utd, capt), Duff (Blackburn), Quinn (Sunderland), Robbie Keane (Wolves).

Malta - Cini (Valletta); Chetcut (Valletta), Buttigieg (Hibernians), Carbott (Hibernians), Turner (Sliema Wanderers), Debono (Valletta), Sixsmith (Naxxar), Spiteri (Hibernians), Brincat (Birkirkara), Zahra (Birkirkara), Suda (Birkirkara).

Referee - R Helge Olsen (Norway).

Rep of Ireland..5 Malta..0