Eamon Dunphy said Robbie Brady's goal was "the best ever Irish goal in a tournament." There might be a certain element of recency bias to that - Ronnie Whelan and Ray Houghton might have something to say about that - but it was the crowning glory of one of the great nights in Ireland sport.
After the despair of the Belgium match, we were crying out for something like this. It didn't take long for the likes of Conor McGregor, Ruby Walsh and former players like Graham Kavanagh and Bernie Slaven to hail Ireland's heroes in Lille tonight. Bernie Slaven inexplicably tweeted a picture of himself to hail the Irish heroes but it's that sort of night... Robbie Brady spoke for a nation when he said "my head's not working right".
YEESSSS GET IN THERE!!!!
McLean is an ANIMAL! Ref is a rat. Brady what a fucking header!!!
BUZZING!!!! COME ON YOU BOYS IN GREEN!!!!— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 22, 2016
All welcome for brunch in my place on Sunday before we do a number on the locals..😜⚽️⚽️⚽️🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇫🇷 Allez Ireland
— Ronan O Gara (@RonanOGara10) June 22, 2016
Brilliant from both Michael & Martin O'Neill to get both teams through to the last 16 👋🏼
— AP McCoy (@AP_McCoy) June 22, 2016
Robbie Brady deserved that, been our best player
— Cillian Sheridan (@CillianSheridan) June 22, 2016
There's only one Robbie Brady #COYBIG
— Ruby Walsh (@Ruby_Walsh) June 22, 2016
Ole Ole Ole Ole Ireland Ireland - What a great performance + result from The Boys In Green. pic.twitter.com/YTy03QXpJS
— BERNIE SLAVEN (@bernieslaven) June 22, 2016
For a nation our size,in every sport we punch above our weight. Outstanding tonight.So happy for Martin,Roy the staff and all the players🇮🇪💚
— Graham Kavanagh (@graham_kavanagh) June 22, 2016
What a little island. So proud to be Irish.
— Paul O'Connell (@Paul_OConnell) June 22, 2016
Ireland deserved that win tonight. Great that the four home nations got through to the knockouts. No tomo football now. Anything can happen.
— Joey Barton (@Joey7Barton) June 22, 2016
"I can't even speak I'm so excited!" @morrisonclinton can barely contain himself after Brady scores for #IRL #SSNHQ https://t.co/nteCmn6ixH
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 22, 2016
