John Fallon: State of play for Heimir three weeks out from World Cup playoff

Here, we assess the state of play for the Irish on the turn towards the biggest week in Irish football for eight years. Two games away from a first World Cup for 24 years is a tantalising prospect.

WATCHING BRIEF: Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Evenings are getting brighter and the stakes higher.

That long winter Troy Parrott injected warmth into last November is fading into Spring and March 26 in Prague has three weeks left on the countdown.