Euro 2012 qualification - Irish victory gives much needed lift

LET the party begin! Ten years to the day since Ireland qualified for the World Cup in Japan, the national soccer team has won a coveted place in the finals of Euro 2012.

It was a very special night for Irish football, an achievement that puts sport in a context it is meant to have — a field of human endeavour that is uplifting, stirring, moving and inspiring.

Considering that Ireland have not qualified for a major finals since the 2002 World Cup, needing to win a play-off against Iran to reach the Far East, this time, it was refreshingly different. Much to their credit, the team gained the elusive prize at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin without having to go through the unnerving play-off process away from home.