5 moments that shaped Ireland’s successful Euro 2016 qualifying campaign

By Ger McCarthy

1. McGeady’s late winner in Tbilisi

The Republic of Ireland’s Group D opener away to Georgia looked to be heading towards a 1-1 draw before Aiden McGeady’s last-minute intervention turned one point into three.

The Everton winger opened the scoring inside the first half hour only for Tornike Okriashvili to equalise shortly before the interval.

Deep into injury time, McGeady gained possession on the edge of the Georgian penalty area and curled a marvellous left-footed effort beyond Roin Kvaskhvadze to kick-start Ireland’s qualification campaign.

2. Late drama in Gelsenkirchen

The Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen played host to the Republic’s second away trip in which Germany were expected to bounce back from a shock defeat to Poland.

The Germans dominated possession and struck a crossbar prior to Toni Kroos breaking the deadlock after 70 minutes. Wes Hoolahan’s introduction helped spark Ireland into life but Ireland still trailed 1-0 four minutes into injury time.

Enter John O’Shea on the night of his 100th cap to force the ball home and earn Martin O’Neill’s side a draw from the jaws of defeat.

3. Another injury time equaliser

Poland took an early lead in last March’s qualifier at the Aviva Stadium, capping a dominant opening period with Slawomir Peszko finding the net after 26 minutes.

1-0 down, the hosts struggled to conjure up an equaliser despite Robbie Brady’s deflected cross coming back off an upright and Robbie Keane also hitting a post as time ticked away.

Ireland won a free-kick deep into injury-time and Wes Hoolahan knocked down Robbie Brady’s delivery. Shane Long made room before arrowing home the loose ball to send the Aviva Stadium into wild celebrations. Yet another 1-1 draw.

4. Where were you when Long scored?

One of the most unforgettable nights in Irish football history occurred on October 8th at the Aviva Stadium when a star-studded German side were edged out by a moment of individual magic.

Unsurprisingly, the visitors dominated possession and territory for the majority of the Group D qualifier until Shane Long’s introduction swung the game in Martin O’Neill’s side’s favour.

The Southampton striker collected a booming Darren Randolph clearance and sprinted clear before smashing an unstoppable shot past Manuel Neuer after 70 minutes. Ireland lived dangerously in the closing period but hung on for a famous 1-0 victory and guaranteed top-three finish.

5. Walters delivers when it matters most

The second-leg of Ireland’s European Championship qualification play-off at home to Bosnia and Herzegovina was always going to be a nervy affair.

Robbie Brady’s away goal in the first leg at a foggy Zenica meant Bosnia travelled to Dublin needing to score in an effort to prevent Ireland from qualifying.

Jonathan Walters return to the first team from suspension proved pivotal as the in-form Stoke City midfielder-cum-striker twice found the net. Walters coolly converted a first-half penalty and followed up with a sweet volley in the second period to confirm Ireland’s participation at Euro 2016.