Take us back to Monday.
What a result that was, the 1-0 win away to Wales was another great night in Irish footballing history.
Martin O’Neill has had his fair share of critics over the course of the last two qualifying campaigns, after the draw the Georgia it looked like Ireland had blown it and the loss to Scotland in the last campaign seemed like the nail was in the coffin.
But then things started going our way, this time around it was down to Scotland drawing with Slovenia, last time around it was down to Scotland losing to Georgia.
And then, despite the lacklustre performances, Ireland do something against the odds this time it was Wales and last time it was Germany.
O’Neill is the best manager Ireland has had in quite some time, Trapattoni may have brought the team to Euro 2012 but the performances were as grim as they come.
In fairness, under O’Neill, Ireland are no world beaters but it is umpteen times better than under the Italian.
And the stats prove it, Ireland are now winning games.
Since Sep 2015 Ireland have beaten teams ranked 2, 12, 13 & 20 in competitive games.
From 2002-2015 our best win was against a world no 33.
— Stephen Long (@Stephen_Long) October 9, 2017
Slovakia were 33rd and Wales 75th when we beat them at Croker in Mar 2007. Saudi Arabia were 34th during the 2002 World Cup.
— Stephen Long (@Stephen_Long) October 9, 2017
Our other wins in the 13 yrs before MO’N were vs Albania, Georgia, Macedonia, Armenia, Estonia, Cyprus, Faroes, San Marino, Kazakh & Andorra
— Stephen Long (@Stephen_Long) October 9, 2017
It’s remarkable really that Ireland have beaten:
- Germany (2014 World Cup champions)
- Italy
- Wales (Euro 2016 semi-finalists)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
In O’Neill’s short time in charge, say what you want about the playing style under the former Aston Villa manager but when the big occasions come there always seems to be a performance.
Also, just for good measures, here is James McClean’s goal again in its entirety.
James McClean, you absolute dancer. How about that step over from Harry Arter?!? #WALIRL #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/75hDzigE9L
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 9, 2017
