Another moment of magic in Germany for proud O’Neill

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

The Republic of Ireland manager already knew a thing or two about humbling the mighty world champions having played his part in an unlikely Northern Ireland double over the old West Germany 31 years ago.

It was Norman Whiteside who provided the winner in Hamburg back in 1983, his 50th-minute effort consigning the hosts to their first home defeat in nine years, but the timing of John O’Shea’s goal last night meant this beat that for sheer drama.