Skipper Robbie Keane claimed a double in Tallinn as the Republic of Ireland routed nine-man Estonia to take an iron grip on their Euro 2012 play-off.

Ireland were already leading through Keith Andrews' 13th-minute header when central defender Andrei Stepanov was sent off for a second bookable offence, and by the time skipper Raio Piiroja joined him 13 minutes from time after being cautioned twice in quick succession, they were 3-0 down.

Jonathan Walters' 68th-minute header, his first senior international goal, justified manager Giovanni Trapattoni's decision to pick him, and Keane's late brace ensured Ireland will take a commanding lead into Tuesday night's second leg at the Aviva Stadium.

The home fans were furious with Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai for what they saw as his part in their side's demise, but Ireland made hay as they banished the bitter memories of five play-off defeats in six previous attempts to take a giant stride towards Poland and Ukraine.

Ireland's tale of woe has proved a source of intense frustration, and the injustice of the final chapter which cast Frenchman Thierry Henry in the role of villain two years ago left a bitter taste in the mouths of the nation.

There was a belief before kick-off, however, that this could be their time after they were seeded for the draw which handed them, on paper at least, the least taxing of the four options available, and home advantage in the second leg.

On the pitch, things could not have gone much better as Estonia initially showed they were not prepared to be cannon fodder for the Irish, yet ultimately contrived to extend their hospitality far too readily.

Keane hailed a great team performance, saying: "We came here to get a result and full credit to the players they put in a great performance from the start.

"They had a couple of players sent off but I think we had the job done before that. We got the early goal and managed to kick on from there.

"To come here and win 4-0 is a great result.

"The confidence that we have in the squad and the way we played in the whole campaign we deserve to go through and we are looking forward to Tuesday now."

Keane was also full of praise for his fellow goalscorers.

"Jonathan Walters is brilliant. He's a handful and he deserved to score tonight.

"Keith was superb from the start and he drove us on from midfield."

However, the striker refused to admit the job is done ahead of the second leg.

Andrews admitted the result had come as a bit of a shock.

"It hasn't sunk in yet," the goalscorer said. ‘‘It's hard to believe we've come here and won 4-0.

"To get four goals and keep a clean sheet is a fantastic result.

"I thought we played very well tonight, harried them and fortunately got the result.

"If we keep a clean sheet it will be a fantastic night (at the Aviva). Over the past few years this group has really come together."

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni congratulated his team after they all but booked their place in the Euro 2012 finals.

"We are proud of our players because of their commitment, their mentality and their belief.

"They believe what we ask them. 90 minutes is always difficult and now we can say we have a good result."