Givens, though, felt nerves played a part in what he believes was an off-key opening half, and he knows his side cannot afford a similar display in their next match against Switzerland in Bern on Tuesday.

“When we face Switzerland it will be a different kettle of fish,” insisted Givens.

“We will have to be better than we were last night which is why I tried to lift them at half-time because we weren’t at our top level.

“It does not matter the opposition, we would have struggled against anybody the way we played and passed the ball in the opening 20 minutes, but we came through in the end.

“Although we were never troubled, we were so nervous in that period, if we had been playing a slightly better side then they might have given us a problem and that’s worrying me.”

As it was, Swansea goalkeeper Brian Murphy barely touched the ball such was Ireland’s dominance, although they only had Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Glen Murphy’s maiden goal in the 34th minute to show for their industry.

After the break it was a different story as first Blackburn defender John Fitzgerald maintained his impressive scoring record with his fourth goal in seven games, powering home a 60th-minute header.

Then 12 minutes from time Cork City striker Kevin Doyle scored his third goal in six appearances to complete a comfortable night’s work.

But Givens knows there is more to come, adding: “I am very pleased to come away with a 3-0 victory when we haven’t performed to our top level.

“I know everybody writes about this run and I’ve said this is the start of big things for us, but I think there were a few nerves which is frustrating.

“But sometimes this group of players can dig things out when they aren’t on top of their game, and that’s what they did here.”