Duff: This means more than 2002

Ireland winger Damien Duff has said last night's qualification for the Euro 2012 Championships means more to him than qualifying for the 2002 World Cup finals.

The Fulham midfielder said it meant a lot to him considering the 10-year wait, and the bad luck in Paris, that preceded last night's qualification.

Duff said: "It means more to me than 2002, I am obviously 10 years older and I am running out of time and maybe you appreciate things more."

He put their success last night down to the bond between the players in the team.

He said: "There is a great bond and belief within the group and I think it has grown possibly since France. Ten-fold it has improved, the spirit among the lads. We always believed."

Stephen Ward had set the Republic on their way with a close-range 31st-minute finish, and Duff felt the achievement was long overdue.

"It's an amazing feeling - it's probably even better than [reaching the World Cup in 2002 because time is running out for a few of us, so I suppose you appreciate it more now," he said.

"It's brilliant and it's about time - 25 years since we've been to the Euros and 10 since we got to a major tournament."

Defender, Sean St Ledger, was amazed at the reaction of the Irish fans to qualification last night.

St Ledger said: "It was incredible, I was also taken aback by it all really to see the amount of fans, it was unbelievable.

"It will be a night I will remember for the rest of my life."