VIDEO: Jon Walters: You always have to believe; it was never going to be straightforward
In keeping with the pattern of his career, the Stoke City striker revelled in adversity to send the country of his mother’s birth to next year’s finals in France.
Only five months ago, Ireland were staring at elimination when trailing the front three in Group D but a late rally, including victory over the world champions, aided their passage to a second successive showpiece.
“You have always got to believe, it was never going to be a straight line to qualification,” he stressed after his brace sunk Bosnia-Herzegovina last night.
“The results against Scotland were lows. People were talking and saying we are not involved in the group halfway through after that game but we always knew at the back of our minds it would come back to bite them and it did.
“Bosnia were a good team; they’ve some dangerous teams. While the world rankings might tell a different story, they were not all that.
“You see teams and can only put a performance in against the 11 on the pitch. We did it against Germany, we did it here and hopefully we can take that to France.
“We’ve qualified, we’re in France next year and I can’t wait for it.”
He added: “You couldn’t write this story really. We knew there would be ups and downs and there have been but we’ve had our aim and we’ve hit it.
“It was unbelievable stuff from everyone, not about me scoring the two goals. Everyone putting in shifts and the staff behind the scenes. We come away from our families and this is our reward.”
The 32-year-old has a large delegation of his family in attendance at Lansdowne Road but a special mention was reserved for his late mother, Helen Brady, who hailed from Clonliffe Road in the shadow of Croke Park.
“My mum passed away when I was 11 and I made the decision at a very young game to come and play for Ireland when I was asked when at 16. She was smiling down on me tonight I’m sure.”
Derby defender Richard Keogh said after the win: ``It’s an unbelievable feeling. We played really well. We got the (first) goal and we defended really well.
“For me to play for my country means the world to me. I’ve stepped up to the plate. I’m going to enjoy it.”
West Ham goalkeeper Darren Randolph has not been first-choice goalkeeper throughout the qualifying campaign, but said he would savour the moment after helping his country make it to France.
“It’s unbelievable. We’re through and that’s all that matters,” he said.
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