Reaction: Martin O’Neill satisfied despite Dzeko ‘dampener’

By Liam Mackey

A priceless Robbie Brady goal eight minutes from time inched the Republic of Ireland towards the Euro 2016 finals in Bosnia last night.

Martin O'Neill's side held their nerve throughout dense second half fog in Zenica to draw 1-1 with play-off rivals Bosnia & Herzegovina. It could have even better, but Edin Dzeko claimed an equaliser for the hosts five minutes from the end.

"That put a bit of a dampener on things," admitted Irish manager Martin O'Neill. "But we are still in the tie, that's the most important thing."

Irish goalscorer Brady admitted afterwards he had never played a major game in such poor visibility, and Martin O'Neill said he was fearful at one stage that German referee Felix Brych would call the teams off the pitch. That would have meant finishing the first leg tomorrow afternoon.

Both teams under-performed and were clearly hampered and hesitant in the deteriorating second half conditions.

"They are still dangerous, they have some good players, but we know we can play better. There is more than that about us, and enough certainly to finish the deal on Monday," said Brady.

As it is, a scoreless draw for the Republic in the second leg in Dublin on Monday night sends Ireland through to the finals in France next summer.