Ireland secured their first Nations League win in eerie circumstances, as a dominant first-half display saw them beat Israel 3-0 in the much-maligned meeting in Hungary.

After months of protests and a chaotic Saturday that put the match in jeopardy at the 11th hour, the FAI announced they will fulfil the fixtures, with only goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrawing from the squad.

Heimir Hallgrimsson made 5 changes as Liam Kitching (on debut), Ryan Manning, Conor Coventry, Adam Idah and Jack Moylan came in for John Egan, Liam Scales, Jason Knight, Chiedozie Ogbene and Finn Azaz.

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The Republic of Ireland team, wearing black armbands in recognition for all the lives lost in the conflict in Gaza, bow their heads during the Israeli national anthem. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

A small number of Israeli fans were in the stands at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary, and they booed the Irish players during the warm-ups. Meanwhile, neither side shook hands, and the Irish players bowed their heads during Israel’s national anthem, as well as wearing black armbands.

It was a flat start to the match, played at low intensity in almost training-like conditions with a few hundred in the crowd, but Ireland did take the lead with their first real attack of the game. James Abankwah laid the ball back to Troy Parrott, who slotted it through the legs of Daniel Peretz to give Ireland the lead.

That lead was doubled moments later as Jack Moylan slipped Adam Idah through, and the Swansea man continued his early-season goalscoring form to put the Boys in Green 2-0 up before Moylan himself made it 3-0 before the half-hour mark as he picked up on a loose ball and buried the ball into the bottom corner.

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Adam Idah of Republic of Ireland scores his side’s second goal. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

The Cardiff City man celebrated by kissing the black armband and the Irish badge in front of the Israeli cohort in the stands as Ireland went into the half-time break with the huge lead.

The second half was a bit more of a drab affair. Ireland held onto their lead as Israel ramped up their attacks. However, Kelleher pulled off two solid saves when tasked, and the ‘hosts’ never offered much of a threat.

There was another international debut for Joel Bagan as Heimir was able to bring on several newer faces, as eyes are now on Thursday when Ireland return to the Aviva Stadium to face Austria.