More than moral victory needed now for Ireland or feelgood factor will fade

Andrew Omobamidele shows his agility in Faro on Wednesday. Dara O’Shea’s withdrawal with an ankle injury should see Norwich defender Omobamidele start against Azerbaijan. Picture: Seb Daly

After almost doing the unthinkable by nearly beating Portugal, Ireland now have to avoid the unfathomable of slipping up at home to Azerbaijan.

Stephen Kenny’s side earned reams of plaudits and admirers for the progressive approach adopted in Faro, leading until the final minute when Cristiano Ronaldo belatedly threw his own party.