Since that 1-0 defeat of the Dutch 13 years ago, Ireland have played 32 competitive games at Lansdowne Road, Croke Park and at the Aviva.

It has been an international period dominated by his assistant Roy Keane, but Martin O’Neill was entitled to the final word last night.

For all the talk of Martin O’Neill and his horses for courses, there was a familiar look to Ireland’s pre-match press conference at the Veltins Arena last night as Robbie Keane took his place beside the national team manager, writes Brendan O'Brien.

FEW teams marry style and substance like ‘Die Mannschaft’, writes Brendan O'Brien.

Robbie Keane is no stranger to headlines, but edging namesake Roy off the back pages yesterday stands up there with the most remarkable of his achievements given he was performing against a side like Gibraltar.

Let’s start with a question. What, in your opinion, is the most important fixture on the sports calendar this week?

Too often we lump antipodeans into the same cultural basket.

It is hard to avoid the sense that Ireland’s rugby provinces now find themselves at a crossroads, suggests Brendan O'Brien. 

Not a puck did we see of Saturday’s All-Ireland hurling final replay.

Feelings.