While James McClean's thumping winner in Cardiff is a moment that will live forever in the minds of Irish fans who were watching last night, it was one of four really fantastic results in a 24 hour period for Irish football.
It's been a long time since we've been able to watch an Irish underage side compete at the highest level, but we now have a number of teams at different age groups in really strong positions in their qualification groups, as the results of Monday/Tuesday's action have all gone exactly as we would have wanted.
The U21s got the ball rolling on Monday with a super performance at home to Israel, with a 4-0 win leaving them top of the group with 10 points from the first four games.
Ireland U21 4-0 Israel U21
FT: #IRLU21s 4-0 Israel - @reececox9 scores a hat-trick as Ireland stay unbeaten!
That's win today, over to Wales... #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/PbLVfwCVij— FAIreland (@FAIreland) October 9, 2017
Then a few hours later, we all know what happened when a few of our lads enjoyed a kick-about in the Welsh capital.
Wales 0-1 Ireland
YEEESSSS!!! What a performance from Martin O'Neill's team! #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/VDqg6ZkymA
— FAIreland (@FAIreland) October 9, 2017
While those who made the trip over were waking up with sore heads, our U19s were getting the job done on Tuesday afternoon in a cruical game against the previously unbeaten Serbia to go top of their group.
Ireland U19 2-1 Serbia U19
Tom Mohan's #IRLU19 side have beaten Serbia 2-1 thanks to goals from Lee O'Connor and Neil Farrugia to top their qualifying group! #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/NARnTSCClW
— FAIreland (@FAIreland) October 10, 2017
Lee O'Connor having a stormer there in particular.
Last but not least, the U17s went out and got the most comprehensive result of the lot on Tuesday afternoon in a route of Azerbaijan in Baku.
Azerbaijan U17 0-6 Ireland U17
UEFA European Under 17 Championship Qualifying Round Result
Azerbaijan 0-6 Ireland
Idah
Brennan
Murphy
Wright #IRLU17— FAIreland (@FAIreland) October 10, 2017
Another fantastic result.
Have we ever enjoyed such a successful 24 hour period in Irish football? Four teams, four wins, three clean sheets, 13 goals, that is seriously good going.
Obviously there is a lot of work left to be done for all teams, but hopefully this wave of positivity carries over for the remainder of all campaigns.
COYBIG!
