Following June's disappointing 1-1 draw against Scotland, Martin O'Neill and the FAI had expressed an interest in continuing their relationship.
With a fourth placed finish looking probable, O'Neill insisted he was seeing signs of progress while John Delaney (who has been conspicuously quiet since Thursday night) said the manager shouldn't make any promises about departing if they failed to make the Euros.
Events have turned in O'Neill's favour and the FAI are looking to accelerate plans to keep the manager in the role until Euro 2018.
Since his appointment, O'Neill has warmed to the task of international management.
There remains uncertainty over whether Keane, 19 years younger than the manager, wishes to remain within the setup. He has made no effort to conceal his desire to return to club management.
