Hundreds of thousands of people packed central Madrid tonight to give a hero’s welcome to “La Roja” – the national soccer team that erased the country’s gloomy mood by winning the Euro 2012 Championship.

Tricolours erected to mark Ireland reaching the finals of the Euro 2012 Championship still hang on many buildings on the main street of Blessington.

QPR defender Anton Ferdinand has revealed he has been shocked by “extreme” abuse he has been subjected to since his high-profile altercation with Chelsea skipper John Terry.

The Republic of Ireland have qualified for the Euro 2012 Championship after drawing 1-1 with Estonia tonight, winning the tie 5-1 on aggregate.