If we'd have bitten your hand off for a draw in Vienna, just imagine the unspeakable atrocities we would have committed for this victory?
Here are the player ratings from a thoroughly deserved and superb Irish performance in Vienna, which sees the boys in green move six clear of Austria in Group D.
Darren Randolph: 6.5
Pulled a fine save out of the bag on 57 minutes as Austria tested him from range, having previously been largely untested. Cool as you like. Ireland's number one.
Seamus Coleman(c): 7.5
Tremendous slide tackle in Ireland's box prevented a one-on-one goalscoring opportunity. More reserved than fixtures past in possession, but applied himself flawlessly in defence - going to ground on a number of occasions and cleanly dispossessing oncoming Austrians. Was found wanting slightly in the air during the final 15 minutes, as one might expect, but had two monstrous centre halves inside him to get the job done.
Ciaran Clark: 7.5
Superb interception denied Janko and Austria a certain goal after Arnautovic kissed the crossbar with a chipped effort. Commanded the area on the rare occasions Austria looked to cross the ball aerially. Another crucial intervention in the 87th minute as Austria threatened cemented his best display in an Ireland shirt.
Shane Duffy: 7
Ropey-ish start, drawing the attention of the referee for a couple of aerial challenges with Janko who, to be fair to Duffy, was acting the berk. As the game progressed Duffy grew into it, and you can see signs that he's becoming one of Ireland's more vocal players at the back. The fact that he was relatively quiet was more a testament to Ireland's collective defensive display.
Robbie Brady: 7
A fine display at left-back; one first half cross should have produced a goal from Walters - another in the second half led to a disallowed goal by the same player. In terms of his deliveries, when he's good he's good, when he's bad he's horrid. Tonight, he was good, and showed none of those much-mooted pre-Euros jitters defensively. However, a rash challenge put Ireland under pressure on the hour mark, and the sheer stupidity of his yellow card, which not only made his last 20 minutes more difficult but also will see him miss Wales through suspension, sees him docked a mark here.
Jeff Hendrick: 6.5
Quieter than has been the case since June, but forced into more defensive responsibility with Glenn Whelan's early withdrawal. Was too ponderous in possession and missed an opportunity to send Coleman down the right early in the second half, but tracked back well alongside Meyler.
Harry Arter: 7.5
Typically dogged display; chased terrier-like after everything in midfield and when Ireland won pressure-easing free-kicks it was invariably Arter who was being picked up off the canvas by his teammates. The perfect introduction to competitive football for Ireland, and a seamless adaptation from Bournemouth's more intricate style of play.
Glenn Whelan: 5
Off injured early and unfortunately didn't have a chance to impose himself on the game, even defensively.
James McClean: 8
Match-winner with his third goal in two games. Like with Shane Long versus Germany, you knew Ireland were about to score as soon as he broke clear of the Austrian defence. He pounced on every loose ball on Ireland's left and bombed down the line on plenty of occasions. Though his end product from wide areas was generally poor, McClean 'got us up the pitch' and offered respite for his defenders, putting Austria on the back foot at crucial junctures. Has gone from 'impact sub' to one of Ireland's most important starters in the space of six months.
Wes Hoolahan: 7
Showed undisputed quality when his deft flick put Robbie Brady into sufficient space to produce a sublime cross for Walters, who hit the bar. Barring this first half contribution, though, it was a woeful 45 minutes for Hoolahan, who was constantly caught in possession in midfield - largely near Ireland's own area. He started the second half on fire, providing the assist for McClean with a weighted pass and becoming a greater nuisance in Austrian territory.
Jonathan Walters: 6
Should have buried his chance from Brady's cross at the end of the first half, instead clipping the bar. Saw a goal disallowed after McClean's opener having strayed offside for an otherwise sensational Brady delivery. It was poor play rather than poor luck for Walters, who largely struggled despite giving his utmost effort as expected.
Subsitutes
David Meyler: 7
First contribution was to go missing for a set piece, earning himself a bollocking from Shane Duffy. However, the Cork man's intervention on the right-hand side of Ireland's defense, and composure in picking out Hoolahan in midfield, set James McClean and Ireland on their way.
David McGoldrick: n/a
Considering Ireland were concentrating solely on defensive duties when he entered the fray, McGoldrick didn't have a chance to make any significant impact.
Aiden McGeady: n/a
See McGoldrick above.
