By Chris Wright
Even Damien Duff can’t believe what he saw. No sneaky handballs. No dodgy refereeing decisions. Just delicious, organic, line-caught wild Alaskan qualification.
Thanks to their stonking 4-0 first-leg victory in Talinn, the Republic of Ireland breezed their way unencumbered past Estonia – with a 1-1 draw in the return-leg in Dublin last night enough to see Ireland emerge from the play-offs with a 5-1 aggregate winning margin and a spot in the pots for Euro 2012 safely tucked under their belts.
Stephen Ward opened the scoring for Ireland on the night, sweeping home as the ball bobbled loose in the Estonian six-yard box, before Trap’s mob were pegged back when Konstantin Vassiljev’s rasping 25-yard shot squirmed through Shay Given’s hands on the hour mark. Not that it matters one iota.
Well done boys. See you in Polkraine!
Photos (click for larger images)…
Highlights…
Photos: PA