Whereas the second-placed Magyars were fortunate to emerge from Armenia with a narrow 1-0 win on Thursday, Ireland were emphatic 2-0 victors over top seeds Portugal.

McIlroy is in pole position to win another title and the Race to Dubai crown.

His absence was more than compensated by Troy Parrott’s comeback from injury to the team, scoring a first-half brace.

Northern Ireland ended the night assured of a qualifying play-off place via the Nations League after Croatia beat the Faroe Islands 3-1, but frustration was the primary emotion.

Croatia completed a 3-1 comeback win over the Faroe Islands, securing their place at next year’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Debutant Bobcek had only been on the pitch for three minutes in when he fired in from Laszlo Benes’ corner in the first of eight minutes added on.

After Michael Noonan’s second-half finish was cancelled out by Sergei Kozlovskiy late on, the match had to be decided by penalties on pitch four of the Aspire Zone in Doha, Qatar.

“There was good excitement watching it. It was class. The atmosphere here was unbelievable and we'll be looking for something similar tomorrow."

This month’s camp has offered Ireland the opportunity of a fresh start two years out from a World Cup on Australian soil and while the noise outside the camp is of a squad in decline, Conan sees “green shoots”.

Whatever happens Sunday, there will be a deeper long-term importance to a magical Thursday night. Just when we thought we were out, Ireland have pulled us back in.

Hallgrímsson senses that the Magyars are feeling the pressure of expectation about this generation ending their 40-year wait for a World Cup

The catalogue of Irish international football’s true pantomime villains is surprisingly slim

“We gave a bit of stick to Scalesy yesterday because he kept shooting from that position, but it worked off today,” said Nathan Collins shortly after full-time.

The host of new rugby books released in the last year tell us plenty about the dynamic between Andy Farrell and Joe Schmidt

Ireland’s stuttering lineout and inconsistent attack have left opponents circling, with Australia now poised to expose any lingering weaknesses

It is another action packed weekend of sport with Ireland taking on Australia, the club championship continues and Ireland make the trip to Hungary with all to play for - all you need to know here.

Garry Ringrose, Josh van der Flier, Ciaran Frawley and Jacob Stockdale were in attendance at the Aviva Stadium for Thursday's victory over Portugal.

The Boys in Green enjoyed another memorable night in front of their own fans on Thursday.

Portugal's media was markedly unimpressed with efforts at the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland secured a play-off with a thrilling win in Budapest