Tommy Martin: In the blink of an eye we have swapped places with Georgia

Going by Georgia’s experience, Ireland is about ten years away from competing at the top level of international football again, but only if we start doing the right things now. But then we knew that.

Aiden McGeady Republic of Ireland, celebrates after scoring his side's winner in a EURO 2016 Championship qualifer against Georgia. Picture: David Maher / SPORTSFILE

On the opposing escalators of international football, the Republic of Ireland and Georgia lock eyes once again. 

When you sit up late and watch the highlights of goals going in around the continent on international football nights you begin to see the patterns. At first it all looks the same. Parochial scuffles in half-empty stadiums in various European capitals, the kind of places that remind you of when Ian Wright described the venue for an England away match in Belarus as a “right moody gaff”.