Robbie Brady scores twice and David McGoldrick enjoys a fine debut as the Republic of Ireland triumph 4-1 against the USA in an entertaining friendly in Dublin.

Robbie Brady scored twice for the Republic of Ireland in Dublin as they beat the USA 4-1 in a friendly to ensure that they would end 2014 on a winning note.

David McGoldrick enjoyed a fine debut as he provided Anthony Pilkington and Brady goals which came either side of Mix Diskerud's effort for the Americans.

Substitute James McClean and Brady found the net in the last 10 minutes to secure the hosts victory.

Republic of Ireland's midfielder Robbie Brady celebrates scoring their second goal with Republic of Ireland's midfielder David Meyler during the international friendly football match between the Republic of Ireland and the United States at the Aviva Stadi © Getty Images

Martin O'Neill made eleven changes to the side which lost 1-0 to Scotland in Euro 2016 qualifying on Friday, while Jurgen Klinsmann had released key players for the MLS playoffs.

However, there was no damage to the quality of an encounter which saw its first goal within seven minutes as McGoldrick's perfectly-weighted pass allowed Pilkington to dink over US keeper Bill Hamid.

Anthony Pilkington of Ireland celebrates scoring his sides opening goal with Daryl Murphy during the International Friendly match between the Republic of Ireland and USA at the Aviva Stadium on November 18, 2014 © Getty Images

The visitors had previously looked the stronger side and immediately got back on top as they searched for an equaliser, which was inches away when Fabian Johnson struck the post from 25 yards.

McGoldrick nearly provided another assist on his Ireland bow as he laid off for Ipswich Town teammate Daryl Murphy, but the striker's first-time shot from inside the box was well saved by Hamid.

The US showed some neat interplay of their own to regain parity in the 40th minute, as Alejandro Bedoya knocked down a cross from Jozy Altidore for Diskerud to poke beyond 127-cap veteran Shay Given.

United States' midfielder Mix Diskerud celebrates with United States' midfielder Alejandro Bedoya after scoring their first goal to equalise during the international friendly football match between the Republic of Ireland and the United States at the Aviv © Getty Images

They would have been ahead at the break had Altidore not fired Bedoya's cutback against the post, and the Sunderland striker was denied again shortly after the restart when Given stopped well with his feet.

As they did in the first half, Ireland scored against the run of play as McGoldrick's clever reverse pass to Brady set up the Hull City winger to drive through Hamid at his near post and restore Ireland's advantage.

A host of substitutions disrupted the flow of the game, but USA remained a threat and Given needed to be at his best to deny Chris Wood and Greg Garza before McClean gave the Republic a cushion.

His 20-yard shot took a deflection off Stoke City's Geoff Cameron on its way to beating Hamid on 81 minutes, and Brady completed the scoring with a fine free kick which perhaps made the scoreline flattering.